An integrated automation system for use in transporting samples between modules, the system comprising: a plurality of modules for processing samples, configured to be connected to one another, each of the plurality of modules comprising an internal transport system for transporting the samples, wherein each of the plurality of modules further comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a front side extending between the first side and the second side, and a back side opposite the front side and extending between the first side and the second side, wherein the first side and the second side are spaced apart from one another, wherein the front side and the back side are spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the plurality of modules comprises two periphery track portions (232, 233, 232A, 233A) for transporting samples, a first periphery track portion (232, 233, 232A, 233A) extending from the first side to the second side proximate the front side of the respective module, and a second periphery track portion (232, 233, 232A, 233A) extending from the first side to the second side proximate the back side of the respective module, wherein each of the plurality of modules further comprises one or more transverse track portions (234, 234A) for transporting samples, integrated within the respective module, wherein each of the one or more transverse track portions (234, 234A) integrated within the respective module extends between and intersects the first periphery track portion (232, 233, 232A, 233A) and the second periphery track portion (232, 233, 232A, 233A), and wherein, when the respective modules are connected together via one end of the two ends connecting to one end of the two ends of adjacent periphery track portions, thereby forming two continuous periphery tracks running through and connecting the plurality of modules, a plurality of paths is formed by the continuous periphery tracks (232, 232A) and the one or more transverse track portions (234, 234A) comprising a plurality of continuous loops (271, 272, 272A), wherein the samples are transported along this plurality of paths, and wherein at least a subset of the plurality of modules are in vitro diagnostics modules. a plurality of modules for processing samples, configured to be connected to one another, each of the plurality of modules comprising an internal transport system for transporting the samples, wherein each of the plurality of modules further comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a front side extending between the first side and the second side, and a back side opposite the front side and extending between the first side and the second side, wherein the first side and the second side are spaced apart from one another, wherein the front side and the back side are spaced apart from one another, wherein each of the plurality of modules comprises two periphery track portions (232, 233, 232A, 233A) for transporting samples, a first periphery track portion (232, 233, 232A, 233A) extending from the first side to the second side proximate the front side of the respective module, and a second periphery track portion (232, 233, 232A, 233A) extending from the first side to the second side proximate the back side of the respective module, wherein each of the plurality of modules further comprises one or more transverse track portions (234, 234A) for transporting samples, integrated within the respective module, wherein each of the one or more transverse track portions (234, 234A) integrated within the respective module extends between and intersects the first periphery track portion (232, 233, 232A, 233A) and the second periphery track portion (232, 233, 232A, 233A), and wherein, when the respective modules are connected together via one end of the two ends connecting to one end of the two ends of adjacent periphery track portions, thereby forming two continuous periphery tracks running through and connecting the plurality of modules, a plurality of paths is formed by the continuous periphery tracks (232, 232A) and the one or more transverse track portions (234, 234A) comprising a plurality of continuous loops (271, 272, 272A), wherein the samples are transported along this plurality of paths, and wherein at least a subset of the plurality of modules are in vitro diagnostics modules.