# Optimizing Factory Robot Movements to Cut Energy and Emissions > This patent describes a system for industrial facilities that measures the energy use and carbon emissions of different groups of robots moving along a track, then adjusts their operations to reduce environmental impact. - **Patent:** US 20250110476 - **Original title:** Controlling an industrial mover system based on sustainability factors - **Owner:** Rockwell Automation Technologies - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** industrial_automation, software, manufacturing, energy, supply_chain, robotics ## What it does The patent describes a system for managing industrial movers, like robots on a track, to reduce their environmental impact. It works by having one or more processors first "determine a first amount of energy consumption associated with a first portion of the plurality of movers and a second amount of energy consumption associated with a second portion of the plurality of movers" (Claim 1). Then, it calculates "emissions per unit" for these different groups of movers based on their energy use. Based on these emission figures, the system "determine[s] one or more operating settings for the mover system" and "send[s] one or more commands" (Claim 1) to control the movers. For example, if one section of movers is found to be highly inefficient, the system might "cause at least one of the plurality of movers to be powered down, powered up, parked, or any combination thereof" (Claim 10) to optimize overall emissions. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover systems that only optimize for speed or throughput without considering energy consumption or emissions per unit. - Does not cover systems that control individual movers without considering groups or portions of movers. - Does not cover systems that determine operating settings based solely on cost, without factoring in emissions or energy use. - Does not cover systems that lack the ability to send commands to adjust mover operations based on the determined settings. - Does not cover systems that manage movers not operating on a track. ## The clever bit The novelty lies in specifically calculating "emissions per unit" for *portions* of a mover system and then using that metric to dynamically adjust operating settings, rather than just optimizing for speed or overall energy. This allows for granular, sustainability-focused control. ## Real-world examples 1. Automated assembly lines in car factories 2. Robotic sorting systems in warehouses 3. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in logistics hubs 4. Conveyor belt systems in manufacturing plants ## Why it matters As industries increasingly focus on sustainability, this technology provides a way to directly measure and reduce the environmental footprint of automated manufacturing and logistics. It allows companies to make data-driven decisions about their factory floor operations, potentially leading to lower energy bills and compliance with environmental regulations. This kind of optimization is crucial for large-scale industrial operations aiming for net-zero goals. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Optimizing Factory Robot Movements to Cut Energy and Emissions cover? This patent describes a system for industrial facilities that measures the energy use and carbon emissions of different groups of robots moving along a track, then adjusts their operations to reduce environmental impact. ### Who owns patent US 20250110476? This patent is owned by Rockwell Automation Technologies. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 28, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 20250110476 cited by? This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? As industries increasingly focus on sustainability, this technology provides a way to directly measure and reduce the environmental footprint of automated manufacturing and logistics. It allows companies to make data-driven decisions about their factory floor operations, potentially leading to lower energy bills and compliance with environmental regulations. This kind of optimization is crucial for large-scale industrial operations aiming for net-zero goals. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover systems that only optimize for speed or throughput without considering energy consumption or emissions per unit. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20250110476/controlling-an-industrial-mover-system-based-on-sustainability-factors **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US20250110476 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How One Person Can Control Two Robots as a Team](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11794345/unified-robotic-vehicle-systems-and-methods-of-control) — This patent describes a system where a single operator can control two separate robots together as one unified machine, or switch to control them individually, using a master control system. - [How Overhead Robots Pick Items in a Warehouse](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11738949/order-fulfillment-systems-and-methods) — This patent describes a warehouse system where robots suspended from overhead rails move across tall storage racks to pick and place containers for customer orders, making order fulfillment faster. - [How Warehouses Sort Items with Magnetic Levitation Shuttles](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12077385/systems-and-methods-for-high-speed-warehouse-order-sortation) — This patent describes a warehouse system that uses magnetic levitation shuttles to quickly sort individual items for customer orders, guided by a control system that directs shuttles based on item type and order needs. - [How Warehouses Plan Pallet Stacks for Incoming Shipments](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11767169/warehousing-systems-and-methods) — This patent describes an automated warehouse system that plans how to stack incoming items onto pallets to perfectly fit available storage racks, and automatically sorts out incorrect items. - [How Robots Figure Out What They're Carrying While Moving](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20250170731/dynamic-mass-estimation-methods-for-an-integrated-mobile-manipulator-robot) — This patent describes how a mobile robot can estimate the weight and balance of an object it's carrying *while moving it*, and then adjust its movements for better control and safety.