| CPC B65G 1/0435 (2013.01) [B25J 9/0009 (2013.01); B25J 9/104 (2013.01); B25J 9/1638 (2013.01); B25J 9/1679 (2013.01); B25J 9/1697 (2013.01); B25J 13/08 (2013.01); B25J 15/0014 (2013.01); B65G 1/0492 (2013.01); B65G 1/137 (2013.01); B65G 1/1373 (2013.01); B66F 9/063 (2013.01); G06Q 10/08 (2013.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01); B25J 5/007 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0216 (2013.01); B65G 2203/041 (2013.01)] | 30 Claims |

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1. A system configured to transport an inventory item, comprising:
a vertical column configured to move in a travelling direction;
a material handling device configured to move along the vertical column, the material handling device being configured to transport the inventory item from a shelf; and
a lifting assembly configured to drive the material handling device to move along the vertical column in a vertical direction;
wherein the material handling device comprises:
a temporary storage unit configured to temporarily store the inventory item;
a manipulator coupled to the temporary storage unit, the manipulator being configured to rotate relative to the temporary storage unit; and
a motor configured to drive the manipulator to rotate relative to the temporary storage unit;
wherein the manipulator comprises a pulling surface and a pushing surface, the pulling surface being different from the pushing surface;
wherein the motor is configured to drive both the pulling surface and the pushing surface to rotate simultaneously;
wherein the manipulator is configured to pull the inventory item from the shelf to the temporary storage unit through the pulling surface, the manipulator being further configured to push the inventory item away from the temporary storage unit through the pushing surface.
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