Cart loader/unloader and a switcher system

An industrial materials handling and delivery system, said system comprising:

• a base member having a loading end and an operator end;
• said loading end being configured with a loading side sensor, and said operator end being configured with an operator side sensor;
• a controller, said controller having an input/output module, said input/output module being operatively coupled to said loading side sensor and to said operator side sensor;
• a first carriage for carrying a first bin, said first carriage being operatively coupled to said base member and operatively coupled to a first drive mechanism configured to move said first carriage between said loading end and said operator end under the control of said controller;
• a second carriage for carrying a second bin, said second carriage being operatively coupled to said base member and operatively coupled to a second drive mechanism configured to move said second carriage between said loading end and said operator end under the control of said controller;
• said base member including a loading side position sensor and an operator side position sensor operatively coupled to said controller, said loading side position sensor being configured to detect when said first carriage or said second carriage is positioned in a loading/unloading position at the loading end, and said operator side position sensor being configured to detect when said first carriage or said second carriage is positioned in a loading/unloading position at the operator end;
• a bypass mechanism configured to support said second carriage and said second bin, said bypass mechanism being operatively coupled to the input/output module of said controller and responsive to control by said controller;
• said bypass mechanism being operatively coupled to said base member and configured to move said second carriage between said loading end and said operator end under the control of said controller;
• said bypass mechanism being further configured to operate in a bypass mode under the control of said controller, and in said bypass mode said bypass mechanism being operable to permit movement of said first carriage and said first bin between said loading end and said operator end independently of said second carriage and said second bin.