Mobile carriers for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems

An automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed, said automated carrier system comprising:

• a carrier body with a carrier width along a carrier width direction and a carrier length along a carrier length direction, said carrier body being configured to support a load;
• and
• a plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a wheel coupled to a pivot assembly, each pivot assembly providing pivoting of an associated wheel between the carrier width direction and the carrier length direction,
• wherein the automated carrier system further includes a plurality of discontinuous track elements, each track element having a track element width and a track element length,
• wherein both the carrier width and the carrier length are larger than the track element width and the track element length, and
• wherein each wheel of each wheel assembly remains outside of the track element width and the track element length when pivoted while the carrier body is positioned over an associated track element.

A method of processing objects, said method comprising:

• providing a carrier body with a carrier width along a carrier width direction and a carrier length along a carrier length direction, said carrier body being configured to support a load;
• providing a plurality of wheel assemblies mounted to the carrier body, each wheel assembly including a wheel coupled to a pivot assembly, wherein the plurality of wheel assemblies move the carrier body about a plurality of discontinuous track elements, each track element having a track element width and a track element length;
• and
• pivoting the plurality of wheel assemblies between the carrier width direction and the carrier length direction,
• wherein both the carrier width and the carrier length are larger than the track element width and the track element length, and
• wherein each wheel of each wheel assembly remains outside of the track element width and the track element length when pivoted while the carrier body is positioned over an associated track element.