An object handling system is described, the system having two substantially perpendicular sets of rails forming a grid above a workspace, the workspace having a plurality of stacked containers. The system includes a series of robotic load handling devices operating on the grid above the workspace, the load handling devices having a body mounted on wheels. The robotic devices can move around the grid under instruction from a computing device, the robotic devices being moved to a point on the grid above a stack of containers and then, using a lifting device, engage and lift a container from the stack. The container is then moved to a point where the objects in the container can be accessed. Modifications to the workspace and grid are described that allow vehicles and roll cages to be used to move stacks from the workspace to a point outside the workspace or from outside the workspace into the workspace.

A station for providing access to contents in a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval system comprising:—an access barrier comprising an opening, and a plurality of covers, wherein each cover is arranged to be selectively deployed to close off a respective portion of the opening;—a loading mechanism arranged to receive the storage container and move it to the opening of the access barrier; and—a housing which is able to prevent access to the opening of the access barrier; wherein the station (10) is arranged to transition between;—a loading configuration in which access to the opening of the access barrier is prevented by the housing, and—an access configuration in which the opening of the access barrier is presented to thereby enable access to contents of the storage container through the opening. The station is configured to deploy the covers to close off predetermined portions of the opening prior to transition into the access configuration to thereby restrict or permit access to contents of the storage container through predetermined portions of the opening.

A storage container for storing product items in an automated storage and retrieval system includes a base; two first parallel side walls; two second parallel side walls perpendicular to the two first parallel side walls; a top opening; and two side openings. The two side openings allow one or more items to be unloaded from the storage container or loaded into the storage container through one of the side openings at an unloading station or at a loading station. The storage container is provided with a restraint which is arranged to restrain movement of the one or more items from exiting through one of the side openings during transportation of the storage container to the unloading or loading station.

An order fulfillment and delivery system for autonomously fulfilling orders while en route to a delivery location. The system includes a delivery vehicle having a storage area, a robotic system at least partially disposed within the storage area and one or more processors. The one or more processors being configured to receive an order of one or more inventory items, generate container retrieval instructions for the robotic system to perform based on the received order and transmit to the robotic system the container retrieval instructions to perform. The robot system includes a container retrieval device movable in at least two dimensions to engage and move a container, based upon the container retrieval instructions, from a first location within the delivery vehicle to a second location within the delivery vehicle.

The invention relates to a mobile storage system having a mobile container with an automated storage and retrieval system arranged inside. The automated storage and retrieval system has a storage grid structure having vertical members defining multiple columns, such as storage columns for storing storage bins on top of each other in vertical stacks. The vertical members are interconnected at their upper ends by a first rail system arranged to guide at least one bin handling vehicle thereon. The bin handling vehicle is configured to raise storage bins from, and lower storage bins into, the storage columns, and to transport the storage bins above the storage columns. The invention also relates to a method for providing such a system. The invention also relates to a mobile storage system having a plurality of mobile containers connected together and a method for providing such a system.

A method for storing product items in storage bins in a storage system includes a bin storing grid in which storage bins are stored above each other in columns. The method includes: inserting product items to or retrieving product items from the respective storage bins at a port; determining a weight for each storage bin after one or more product items have been inserted to or retrieved from the storage bin; determining a storage position for the storage bin in the bin storing grid based on the weight; and transporting the storage bin from the port to the determined storage position by means of a vehicle and a bin lift device provided on each vehicle.

A container accessing station for accessing a storage container of an automated storage and retrieval grid. The container accessing station comprising: an access opening through which a human and/or robot may access contents of the storage container; a base opening; and a lifting device arranged to retrieve the storage container from a first level beneath the base opening and lift it up through the base opening to a second level so that the storage container may be accessed through the access opening.

The invention is also directed to a container accessing system and a method thereof.

A customisable, modular storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. The stacks are contained within towers formed of stacks of bin receiving units. A grid network of tracks is provided on the top of the bin receiving units upon which load handling devices run. The load handling 30 devices take containers from the stacks and deposit them at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out.

A storage system includes a storage grid and a container lift. The container lift includes a lifting assembly suspended from a spoolable lifting elements and arranged to be raised/lowered in order to raise/lower an accompanying storage container within the storage grid. The lifting assembly includes a lifting frame part for releasable attachment to a storage container and a guide shuttle arranged to guide the lifting frame part and any accompanying storage container as the lifting frame part is raised and lowered within the storage grid. The guide shuttle is arranged above the lifting frame part and includes guide elements arranged to stabilise and maintain horizontal alignment of the lifting frame part and any accompanying storage container. The framework features internal guide surfaces arranged to stabilise and maintain the horizontal alignment of the lifting frame part, when the guide shuttle is at a level above the top rail grid.

A system for providing secure storage and retrieval of storage containers linked to different users includes an automated storage and retrieval system, a main control system, and a user interface. The automated storage and retrieval system has a framework structure defining a storage grid for storing storage containers arranged in stacks in storage columns and at least one container handling vehicle configured to raise storage containers from and lower storage containers into the storage columns and to transport storage containers to a container transport assembly connecting the automated storage and retrieval system to a plurality of interaction areas for accessing and transferring storage containers to and from the automated storage and retrieval system. The main control system is signal connected to an interaction area controller for keeping track of storage containers and their location in the automated storage and retrieval system and controls transfer of storage containers between the automated storage and retrieval system and the interaction areas. The container transport assembly and the interaction areas both include a transferring mechanism for moving a storage container to and from the container transport assembly and the interaction areas. The transferring mechanism of the container transport assembly includes a storage container support with a support transfer element. Each interaction area includes at least one access station for giving access to and enabling transferring of storage containers or items to and from the interaction area. The user interface has an identification mechanism for identifying a user and for controlling user access to the access station and for interacting with the automatic storage and retrieval system.