Method and apparatus for sorting or retrieving items

A method and apparatus for sorting or retrieving articles to/from a plurality of destination areas (100) are provided. Items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles (200). The delivery vehicles follow a track (110) that guides the delivery vehicles to/from the destination areas (100), which are positioned along the track. Once in the corresponding destination area, an item is transferred between the delivery vehicle and the destination area.</p> <p>(Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)