An example robotic device includes: a circumferential carriage configured to drive the robotic device along a rail configured to be mounted to a curved surface, the circumferential carriage comprising: (i) a frame base, (ii) a frame mounted to the frame base, (iii) one or more wheels coupled to the frame base and configured to engage with the rail, (iv) a worm gear arrangement, and (v) a main drive gear coupled to the worm gear arrangement and configured to engage with a rack disposed on the rail; and a transversal carriage comprising: (i) a cross slide slidably mounted to the frame, (ii) a transversal rack coupled to the cross slide, (iii) a cross slide motor mounted to the circumferential carriage, and (iv) a cross slide drive gear coupled to the cross slide motor and having gear teeth engaging with respective teeth of the transversal rack.

An example robotic device includes: a circumferential carriage configured to drive the robotic device along a rail configured to be mounted to a curved surface, the circumferential carriage comprising: (i) a frame base, (ii) a frame mounted to the frame base, (iii) one or more wheels coupled to the frame base and configured to engage with the rail, (iv) a worm gear arrangement, and (v) a main drive gear coupled to the worm gear arrangement and configured to engage with a rack disposed on the rail; and a transversal carriage comprising: (i) a cross slide slidably mounted to the frame, (ii) a transversal rack coupled to the cross slide, (iii) a cross slide motor mounted to the circumferential carriage, and (iv) a cross slide drive gear coupled to the cross slide motor and having gear teeth engaging with respective teeth of the transversal rack.

A support member may be connectable in a removable and adjustable manner to a track assembly. The support member may include an electrical connector, a contact, and a biasing member. The electrical connector may be adjustable to a first position and a second position. The contact may be connected to the electrical connector and configured to engage a conductor of said track assembly. The contact may be engageable with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position. The contact may not be engageable with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the second position. The biasing member may be configured to bias the contact into engagement with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position.

A support member may be connectable in a removable and adjustable manner to a track assembly. The support member may include an electrical connector, a contact, and a biasing member. The electrical connector may be adjustable to a first position and a second position. The contact may be connected to the electrical connector and configured to engage a conductor of said track assembly. The contact may be engageable with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position. The contact may not be engageable with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the second position. The biasing member may be configured to bias the contact into engagement with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the path. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a path to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the path. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A composite climb structure includes a climber, a horizontal planar structure, and a ramp coupled on to a base plate. The horizontal planar structure and the ramp are collinearly situated on opposite sides of the climber. The climber is pressed by a robotic vehicle moving on to it from the horizontal planar structure, the climber being pressed to a final position, wherein the angle of elevation (BOC) of the climber is same as the angle of elevation of the ramp, thereby facilitating traversal of the robotic vehicle from the horizontal planar structure on to the ramp.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.

A method and apparatus are provided for sorting or retrieving items to/from a plurality of destinations areas. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.