Material handling system with automatic retrieval of sorted items

A material handling system cooperable with a storage assembly having a plurality of storage locations for storing a plurality of items, comprising:

• a vehicle for conveying items, comprising:
• a horizontal drive assembly configured to drive the vehicle horizontally along a horizontal surface;
• a vertical drive assembly configured to drive the vehicle vertically upwardly;
• a power source for powering the horizontal drive assembly and the vertical drive assembly;
• a moveable track on the horizontal surface, comprising:
• a vertical track cooperable with the vertical drive assembly of the vehicle;
• wherein the moveable track comprises an opening configured to receive at least a portion of the vehicle;
• a carriage disposed within the moveable track and cooperable with the vehicle, wherein the carriage is configured to transfer items from the storage locations onto the vehicle while the vehicle is disposed within the track and wherein the power source of the vehicle is operable to power the carriage;
• wherein the vertical drive assembly is configured to engage the vertical track;
• wherein the vertical drive assembly is engageable with the vertical track and:
• (a) the vertical drive is driveable in a first direction to raise the moveable track off the horizontal surface and (b) the vertical drive assembly is driveable in a second direction to drive the vehicle up the vertical track to an elevated position to facilitate transfer of an item between a storage location and the vehicle.