Unloading and sorting system

A system for unloading and sorting items, the system comprising:

• at least one autonomous carrier device for transporting one or more items,
• an elevated surface over which the carrier device is configured to travel, the elevated surface comprising at least one sorting outlet therein, and
• at least one barrier spaced at a height above the elevated surface, the height of the barrier above the elevated surface being high enough to enable the entire carrier device to travel under the barrier without being impeded, and low enough for at least one item on the carrier device to be pushed off the carrier device by the barrier when the carrier device travels under the barrier,
• wherein the at least one sorting outlet includes an opening in the surface which is positioned in front of the barrier, the carrier device being configured to pass over the opening on approach to the barrier without falling through or becoming stuck, the sorting outlet being configured to receive the at least one item when it is pushed off the carrier device by the barrier as the carrier device travels under the barrier.

A method of unloading and sorting items, the method comprising:

• moving a carrier device that is configured for transporting one or more items along an elevated surface, the elevated surface comprising at least one sorting outlet therein having an opening in the elevated surface;
• moving the carrier device over the sorting outlet and towards a barrier, the sorting outlet being positioned in front of the barrier, the carrier device being configured to pass over the opening in the elevated surface without falling through or becoming stuck;
• and
• moving the carrier device under the barrier, the barrier being spaced at a height above the elevated surface which is high enough to enable the entire carrier device to travel under the barrier without being impeded and low enough such that at least one of the one or more items impacts the barrier and is pushed off the carrier device by the barrier as the carrier device moves under the barrier, the at least one of the one or more items being received by the at least one sorting outlet.