Abstract: In one embodiment, a trolley for an inventory storage module has a trolley frame and first and second track engagement features on opposed sides of the trolley frame that engage first and second rails of a track, respectively, such that the trolley frame is translatable along the track. The trolley has a power collector that is supported by the trolley frame, and that electrically couples to an electrical rail that is disposed above the trolley frame so as to collect power from the electrical rail as the trolley frame is translated along the track. The trolley has a robotic manipulator having a robotic arm and an end effector. The robotic arm extends below the trolley frame with respect to the vertical direction, and the end effector removeably couples inventory items to the robotic arm.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage system has at least one storage module having a shelving system, a conveyor, and a robotic transport system. The shelving system has a plurality of shelves that are spaced from one another along a vertical direction and that define a plurality of inventory storage locations. The conveyor is positioned alongside the shelving system and is configured to convey inventory items along a longitudinal direction. The robotic transport system is positioned alongside the shelving system and spaced above the conveyor along the vertical direction. The robotic transport system has a track, and a trolley that translates along the track and that includes a robotic manipulator. The trolley moves the robotic manipulator along the track to a position that is adjacent a select one of the inventory storage locations so as to stow an inventory item to, or retrieve the item from, the select storage location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage system has a vertical stack of storage modules. Each storage module has first and second conveyor segments that carry storage containers along a longitudinal direction between first and second modules ends, and third and fourth conveyor segments that carry the containers between the first and second conveyor segments at the first and second module ends, respectively. The conveyor segments define a movement path having a closed shape, and the storage module translates the containers around the movement path until a desired one of the containers is presented at one of the first and second module ends. The system also has a multi-directional elevator having a platform. The elevator moves the platform over the vertical stack along at least one of the longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and lowers the platform into an interior of the vertical stack.