Automated Bin-Picking and Package Delivery System

In its SBIR Phase I, Agile Systems Inc. developed concepts for new shipboard automated material handling technologies that address important opportunities to reduce crew size and generally increase logistics efficiency on Navy surface combatants—present and future—as well as on aircraft carriers and the CLF supply vessels that serve Carrier Battle Groups. NAVPAK is a system that automates the strikedown, stowage, selective retrieval and intraship distribution of package-size goods. Backfit to current DDG 51-class destroyers and CG 47-class cruisers, NAVPAK promises means to double the rate at which strikedown and stowage of provisions, spare parts and other consumables is performed, while reducing the manpower required up to 90%. In the proposed Phase II effort, an engineering prototype of the NAVPAK stowage and retrieval system will be designed, built, tested and demonstrated. This prototype will include the key enabling technologies of the NAVPAK AS/RS, including Mobile Package Carriers driven by an array of linear synchronous motors, a robotic load/unload device, vertical package conveyor mockup and real-time control system. In a Phase II Option, an improved robot will be added to the system and the prototype will be tested on NAVSEA Philadelphia’s Ship Motion Simulator under realistic dynamic loads.