Robotic cargo handling system and method

A method for transferring a container between a first location and a second location in a robotic container storage, handling, and transfer system, the method comprising:

• moving a first vehicle means including the container in to the first location under a grid structure, the grid structure formed of two substantially perpendicular sets of rails above a portion of at least one transport network;
• moving a load handling device to a first position on the grid structure, the first position being located above the first location, the first position having only one set of rails such that the grid structure has a missing section at the first position and the grid structure having a protection means at the first position to prevent the robotic load handling device from derailing, the load handling device including:
• a body;
• a first set of wheels mounted to the body, the first set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the first set of rails,
• a second set of wheels mounted to the body, the second set of wheels being arranged to engage with at least two rails of the second set of rails, the first set of wheels being independently moveable and driveable with respect to the second set of wheels such that when in motion only one set of wheels is engaged with only one set of rails at any one time thereby enabling movement of the load handling device along the rails or tracks to any point on the grid by driving only the set of wheels engaged with the rails,
• an engaging means configured for engaging at least one of the one or more containers, and
• a lifting means configured for lifting the at least one of the one or more containers;
• lifting, by the lifting means of the load handling device, the container from the first vehicle means in to the body of the load handling device;
• moving the load handling device to a second position on the grid structure, the second position located above the second location beneath the grid structure;
• and
• depositing the container in to the second location.

A robotic container storage, handling, and transfer system comprising:

• a grid structure formed of two substantially perpendicular sets of rails above a portion of at least one transport network;
• a robotic load handling device operating on the grid structure, wherein the robotic load handling device includes a first set of wheels arranged to engage with at least two rails of the first set of rails, and a second set of wheels arranged to engage with at least two rails of the second set of rails, such that only one set of wheels is engaged with the grid structure at any one time;
• a vehicle means located on the at least one transport network below the grid structure, the vehicle means configured to receive a container, the robotic load handling device being provided with an engaging means for engaging the container when located on the vehicle means, and a lifting means configured for lifting the container from the vehicle means for movement to an alternative location;
• and
• wherein one or more portions of the rails above the vehicle means of the transport network are missing in a direction transverse to a direction of the transport network forming one or more open grid spaces, thereby enabling alignment of the robotic load handling device above the vehicle means irrespective of whether the vehicle means is positioned beneath the one or more open grid spaces.