ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 30 -- United States Patent no. 12,747,103, issued on Sept. 29, was assigned to Exotec Product France (Croix, France).

"Automated guided vehicle and rack system suitable for such vehicle" was invented by Romain Moulin (Lille, France) and Renaud Heitz (Villeneuve d'Ascq, France).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "An automated guided vehicle configured to collect receptacles of a rack system for the storage of the receptacles, including: a vehicle body equipped with rolling and driving mechanisms for the vehicle which are configured to ensure movement above the shelving units of the rack system during use, a loading and unloading device connected to the vehicle body and includi...