Minimize robot dwell time in warehouse order fulfillment operations

摘要

A method for executing an order with a plurality of items assigned to a first robot among a plurality of robots operating in a warehouse with the support of a plurality of operators is disclosed. The method includes navigating a first robot to a first location in a warehouse proximate to a location of a first item in an order, and an operator pausing the first robot to assist the first robot in performing a function. The method includes determining whether the first robot has been paused for a time greater than a maximum dwell time without operator assistance. If so, the method causes the first robot to leave the first position without completing a function on the first article, and causes the first robot to advance to a second position proximate to the storage location of the second article to perform the function. do.