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Status Prioritization Queue
Created by Mitchell Bluford
Created on Jun 15, 2023

RELATED IDEAS

Vector Picking: Pose Position Based on Order Position in the Shelf/Cart

Potential features:

  • Divide the positions on a shelf or cart down the longitudinal center of the bot and give designated positioning during mapping phase:

    • During the mapping process, we have to assign two different Vector poses based on west or east hemisphere positioning on the bot. This is a lot of extra work during the mapping phase but, would probably end up with the best end-state customer experience.

  • Divide the positions on a shelf or cart down the longitudinal center of the bot and reverse created pick position if order is wedged against the aisle:

    • This feature would flip the bot pose position on the map if the order was on the side of the bot that would be moving close up to the racking. This would save time during the mapping phase but seems dirty and jerry-rigged. This would not allow for an nuance for the second pose, it would just reverse the original pose.

Problem/opportunity trying to be solved

Scenario:

  • Two orders side by side on a Vector shelf: left side of bot and right side of bot

  • One designated picking pose where the right side of the bot snugs up close to the pick location

  • Order that needs to be picked into is on the right side of the bot

Issue:

  • The tote that needs to be picked into is now in a tight space between the aisle and the bot itself, offering little access to the tote that needs to be picked into.

Question/Solution:

  • How can the Vector adjust its picking pose based on the position of the order on the shelf to ensure that the picker has the easiest possible access to place the picked item into the tote?
Quantify the problem/opportunity

This could impact all sites where Vector has orders on both sides of the bot -- with shelf or cart.


This also could help us reduce the minimum required aisle width for two way travel with the Vector. If the Vector cannot alter its pick pose based on the order position on its shelf/cart, then the Vector has to park much further away from the racking in order to give the associate the ability to access the tote. The further out that the Vector has to park in the aisle, the more congested and difficult it is for other bots and associates to travel through that aisle.
What is the root cause of the problem/opportunity

Root cause is that the Vector pays no mind to its picking pose based on where the order is on its shelf. The Vector is not equipped to alter its picking pose in order to not hide an order between itself and the racking.
Customer need date May 1, 2024
Urgent request No
Report Tag Deployment, OSD
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