US 11,834,272 B2
System and method for automated product sorting and coordinated delivery using autonomous delivery vehicles within a facility
Jason D. Bellar, Bella Vista, AR (US); and Jeremy L. Velten, Bella Vista, AR (US)
Assigned to WALMART APOLLO, LLC, Bentonville, AR (US)
Filed by WALMART APOLLO, LLC, Bentonville, AR (US)
Filed on Mar. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/180,695.
Application 18/180,695 is a continuation of application No. 17/478,508, filed on Sep. 17, 2021, abandoned.
Application 17/478,508 is a continuation of application No. 16/426,853, filed on May 30, 2019, abandoned.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/678,457, filed on May 31, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0219763 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/1376 (2013.01) [B65G 2203/0216 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for automated product sorting and coordinated delivery using autonomous delivery vehicles within a facility, comprising:
an automated sorting device configured to:
scan a plurality of items; and
automatically sort the plurality of items into two or more predetermined categories;
an in-facility location configured for retrieval of one or more items intended for pick up at the facility;
one or more autonomous delivery vehicles;
a computing device communicatively coupled to the automated sorting device and the one or more autonomous delivery vehicles and configured to execute a distribution module, the distribution module when executed:
identifying a selected item from the plurality of items to be picked up in-facility,
determining a route within the facility from the automated sorting device to the in-facility location for a selected one of the one or more autonomous delivery vehicles based at least in part on at least one of facility traffic patterns, locations of other autonomous delivery vehicles, a number of items to be delivered, and additional tasks that can be performed by the selected one of the one or more autonomous delivery vehicles while delivering the item, and
instructing the selected one of the one or more autonomous delivery vehicles to retrieve the item from the automated sorting device;
wherein the selected one of the one or more autonomous delivery vehicles navigates the route in the facility from the automated sorting device to the in-facility location to deliver the selected item to the in-facility location.