Abstract: A robot for lifting an object, including systems and methods, are herein described. One embodiment comprises a robot is disclosed having a generally planar receiving surface for receiving and holding an object. The receiving surface is lowered and raised using a vertical movement mechanism. To move the receiving surface to an appropriate location, the receiving surface and the vertical movement mechanism are connected to a mobile platform. In some exemplary embodiments, the robot can also have a sweeping mechanism to sweep an object onto at least a portion of the receiving surface. The sweeping mechanism can take various forms but in one exemplary embodiment, the sweeping mechanism is an “L”-shaped arm pivotably connected to the robot, preferably the receiving surface.