A remotely operated delivery vehicle transports a storage container between a location directly below an automated storage and retrieval grid configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers, and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator. The remotely operated delivery vehicle may include rolling devices configured to move the remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane along tracks of a delivery rail system. Additionally, rolling device motors are provided for driving the rolling devices. A power source provides propulsion power to the rolling device motors. A container carrier receives the storage container from above and onto or at least partly into the container carrier so that the contents of the storage container are accessible by at least one of the robotic operator and the human operator.

A remotely operated delivery vehicle transports a storage container between a location directly below an automated storage and retrieval grid configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers, and a second location for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and a human operator. The remotely operated delivery vehicle may include rolling devices configured to move the remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane along tracks of a delivery rail system. Additionally, rolling device motors are provided for driving the rolling devices. A power source provides propulsion power to the rolling device motors. A container carrier receives the storage container from above and onto or at least partly into the container carrier so that the contents of the storage container are accessible by at least one of the robotic operator and the human operator.

A storage network includes a plurality of storage systems. Each storage system includes a storage grid structure, having at least one transfer column and a horizontal top rail grid upon which the container handling vehicle moves in two perpendicular directions, and at least one container handling vehicle. The storage system includes at least one container transfer vehicle and transfer rails forming a transfer rail grid upon which the container transfer vehicle moves in at least one horizontal direction. The container transfer vehicle includes a container carrier for carrying a storage container and a wheel arrangement for moving the container transfer vehicle in two perpendicular directions upon the transfer rail grid. The at least one transfer column extends from the top rail grid to the transfer section, such that a storage container may be transferred between the top rail grid and the container carrier of the container transfer vehicle.

A storage network includes a plurality of storage systems. Each storage system includes a storage grid structure, having at least one transfer column and a horizontal top rail grid upon which the container handling vehicle moves in two perpendicular directions, and at least one container handling vehicle. The storage system includes at least one container transfer vehicle and transfer rails forming a transfer rail grid upon which the container transfer vehicle moves in at least one horizontal direction. The container transfer vehicle includes a container carrier for carrying a storage container and a wheel arrangement for moving the container transfer vehicle in two perpendicular directions upon the transfer rail grid. The at least one transfer column extends from the top rail grid to the transfer section, such that a storage container may be transferred between the top rail grid and the container carrier of the container transfer vehicle.

A lift system for an automated storage system of the type where storage containers are stacked in storage columns arranged in a grid, and where automated container handling vehicles retrieve and replace containers from a top level of the grid. The lift system has a platform vertically movable adjacent to a face of the grid, arranged for receiving and transporting one or more containers. A dedicated mechanical device is arranged for grabbing, lifting and moving the storage containers from a staging area at the top of the grid and placing containers on the platform and vice versa.

A lift system for an automated storage system of the type where storage containers are stacked in storage columns arranged in a grid, and where automated container handling vehicles retrieve and replace containers from a top level of the grid. The lift system has a platform vertically movable adjacent to a face of the grid, arranged for receiving and transporting one or more containers. A dedicated mechanical device is arranged for grabbing, lifting and moving the storage containers from a staging area at the top of the grid and placing containers on the platform and vice versa.