---
publication_id: "OT-2026-000000975"
title: "System and method of operating an automated storage and retrieval system"
published_at: "2026-09-15T19:03:40.713045Z"
canonical_url: "https://opentechnical.org/p/OT-2026-000000975"
categories:
  - "material-handling/conveying-systems"
keywords:
  - "b65g1/0464"
  - "b65g1/065"
  - "b65g1/065"
  - "b65g1/065"
  - "b65g1/1378"
  - "b65g1/04"
---

# System and method of operating an automated storage and retrieval system

## Abstract

The invention relates to an automated storage and retrieval system comprising a plurality of container handling vehicles on a rail system operable to handle storage containers, each container handling vehicle comprises a positioning node. The system comprises a positioning system having reference positioning nodes spaced in fixed positions on and/or proximate the rail system to determine the position of each of the container handling vehicles. The control system communicates each container handling vehicle and the positioning system, and instructs a first container handling vehicle to move to a target position, repeatedly receives position data from the positioning system of a position of the first container handling vehicle and repeatedly receive position data from the positioning system of a position of a second container handling vehicle, and instructs the second container handling vehicle to move with the first container handling vehicle at a predetermined separation from the first container handling vehicle