Grid framework structure

A grid framework structure configured to support one or more robotic load handling devices thereupon, said grid framework structure comprising:

• i) a grid structure lying in a horizontal plane, said grid structure including a first set of parallel grid members extending in a first direction and a second set of parallel grid members extending in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction such that the first and second sets of parallel grid members are arranged in a grid pattern containing a plurality of grid cells or grid spaces;
• ii) a track system mounted to, or integrated into, the grid structure, the track system including a plurality of tracks arranged in the grid pattern of the grid structure;
• iii) a supporting framework structure for supporting the grid structure above ground to create one or more storage spaces for the storage of one or more containers in multiple stacks of containers such that, in operation, one or more load handling devices operative on the track system can lift one or more containers through a grid cell from one of the multiple stacks below the grid structure;
• and
• iv) a plurality of guides extending substantially vertically between the grid structure and a floor, the plurality of guides being arranged in a pattern for accommodating a plurality of stacks of storage containers between the plurality of guides and configured to guide the plurality of storage containers through a grid cell,
• wherein the supporting framework structure includes a plurality of prefabricated modular panels,
• wherein said prefabricated modular panels are load bearing such that, when assembled together, the assembled prefabricated modular panels form the supporting framework structure, providing a load bearing structure to support the one or more load handling devices moving on the grid structure,
• wherein said prefabricated modular panels are arranged in a three dimensional grid pattern including a first set of parallel prefabricated modular panels extending in the first direction and a second set of parallel prefabricated modular panels extending in the second direction to define a plurality of grid cells, each of the plurality of grid cells of the supporting framework structure being sized to support a subset of the plurality of grid cells of the grid structure, said subset including two or more grid cells of the grid structure, and
• wherein the assembly of the prefabricated modular panels generates the one or more open storage spaces for accommodating the multiple stacks of containers, a surface area of each of the one or more open storage spaces having a surface area so as to accommodate multiple of the plurality of grid cells of the grid structure.