Systems and methods for the storage and transfer of containers in automated storage and retrieval systems

Abstract

A system, for shared storage of containers, includes: a first storage wall; a first aisle disposed on a first side of the first storage wall; a second aisle disposed on a second side of the first storage wall; a shared storage location in the first storage wall, the shared storage location being directly accessible to mobile robots in both the first aisle and the second aisle such that the shared storage location is accessible to receive a deposit of a shared container from a first mobile robot from the first aisle and, following the deposit, the shared storage location is accessible to enable retrieval of the shared container by a second mobile robot from the second aisle; and a container blocker at the shared storage location, the container blocker configured to selectively block movement of a deposited container either toward the second aisle or toward the first aisle.

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