Robotic transport system for an inventory storage module

A system for an inventory storage module, the system comprising a trolley that comprises:

• a trolley frame having first and second frame ends that are spaced from one another along a longitudinal direction, first and second frame sides that are spaced from one another along a lateral direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and upper frame end and an underside that are spaced from one another along a vertical direction, perpendicular to both the longitudinal and lateral directions, the upper frame end and the underside extending between the first and second frame sides and between the first and second frame ends;
• first and second pairs of wheels that are spaced from one another along the longitudinal direction, each pair including first and second wheels coupled to the trolley frame at the first and second frame sides, respectively, the first and second wheels of each pair configured to engage first and second rails of a track, respectively, such that the trolley frame is translatable along the track along the longitudinal direction;
• a plurality of power collectors that are supported by the trolley frame, each including a projection that extends above the upper frame end such that each power collector is configured to electrically couple to a corresponding 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;
• and
• a robotic manipulator having:
• a robotic arm having first and second arm ends that are spaced from one another, the first arm end being attached to the trolley frame at the underside of the trolley frame at a location that is between the first and second frame sides and between the first and second frame ends such that the robotic arm extends from the underside of the trolley frame and beneath the underside of the trolley frame with respect to the vertical direction;
• and
• a vacuum end effector coupled to the second arm end, the vacuum end effector configured to apply suction to an inventory item to removably couple the inventory item to the second arm end,
• wherein the robotic manipulator is powered by the power collected from the plurality of power collectors and is configured to move the end effector to an inventory item that is disposed outwardly of one of the first and second frame sides with respect to the lateral direction and couple the inventory item to the second arm end.