Cable array robot for material handling

A system for moving cargo containers, said system comprising:

• three mast assemblies, each mast assembly of said three mast assemblies having
• a mast,
• a winch, and
• a cable deployed by said winch from said mast, said three mast assemblies being spaced apart from each other;
• an end effector, said cable from said each mast assembly being attached to said end effector, said end effector to grip a cargo container in order to move said container;
• and
• a computer controller in operational connection with said winch of said each mast assembly, said winch being responsive to said computer controller, said computer controller having a user interface for enabling a user to cause said computer controller to direct movement of said cargo container by said end effector.

A system for moving cargo containers, said system comprising:

• three mast assemblies, each mast assembly of said three mast assemblies having
• a mast having a stored and a deployed position,
• a winch, and
• a cable deployed by said winch from said mast, said three mast assemblies being spaced apart from each other;
• an end effector, said cable from said each mast assembly being attached to said end effector, said end effector to grip a cargo container in order to move said container;
• means for determining the position of said end effector;
• and
• a computer controller in operational connection with said winch of said each mast assembly and said determining means, said winch of said each mast assembly being responsive to said computer controller, said computer controller having a user interface for enabling a user to cause said computer controller to direct movement of said cargo container from said position by said end effector, said computer controller to move said cargo container from said position determined by said determining means.