An automated storage system provides for storing and retrieving items at a common storage space, such as a warehouse. The system includes an arrangement of storage rails that support storage containers. A delivery rail network extends adjacent to the storage rails and to human worker-operated workstations. Picker devices, maneuvering along the delivery rail system, operate to locate a selected storage container, decouple the container from the storage rail system, and transport the storage container along a segment of the delivery rail network. A mover device then receives the selected storage container from the picker device and transports the storage container to a workstation, where items can be retrieved from (and/or added to) the storage container by the human worker.