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Driverless around-the-clock

The future belongs to automated logistics trucks. They can achieve the greatest cost savings where large volumes of goods need to be handled, and where the execution of repeated logistic tasks are involved. The Linde Material Handling MATIC series offers the intralogistics sector a technologically advanced range of industrial trucks – pallet stackers, pallet trucks, VNA trucks and tow tractors.

Unmanned operation, either for individual trucks or for defined fleet operations, is possible in almost every industrial and trade field of application. The automated trucks are not tied to shift patterns, substantially increasing their cost-effectiveness. Their precision handling means reductions in operational damage and increases in the material flow.

These are Linde-quality, tried and tested forklifts, fitted with intelligent navigation and safety technology produced by the robotics specialists. The whole range of models can also be easily maneuvered using conventional manual control.

In Focus: Geo-Navigation

Linde autonomous logistics trucks are controlled via a geo-navigation system. The forklifts sense their surroundings down to the finest details, allowing them to work safely together with people as cooperative robots, or “cobots.” The standard version of the system consists of four optical laser sensors that scan the surroundings in all directions up to a distance of 30 meters. What is going on around the truck is also monitored by a 3D camera, that is mounted on the highest point of the chassis.

The data streams of both detection systems are processed, allowing each truck to be coordinated with any other autonomous trucks and move safely in even the most restricted of spaces. External equipment, such as guide rails laid in the floor or light reflectors, are not necessary for orientation and control. In new surroundings, such as a different warehouse than usual, the forklifts completely remap their operating area. They can also communicate via data interfaces with warehouse doors or roller tracks, and with business applications, such as warehouse management or ERP systems.

Safe Working Alongside People

Linde autonomous logistic trucks are extremely safe to work with. Driverless forklifts and pallet trucks can be controlled so precisely that they can work directly alongside with people, and their emergency stop switches allow them to be deactivated at any time. Their sensitive safety system scans the immediate surroundings down to the finest details and reacts intelligently, meaning it is not only static or moving people and trucks that are detected. Obstacles that appear suddenly, such as dropped pallets, are also detected, allowing the driverless trucks to react accordingly. The intelligent control system brakes the forklift for only as long as is made necessary by a temporary blockage in the line of travel. As soon as the obstacle is removed or moves on, the MATIC equipment resumes the work process automatically, keeping the interruption to a minimum.

User-Friendly for Easy Handling

All autonomous forklifts and pallet trucks have a central and clearly-visible 7 inch LED touchscreen, that provides all of the relevant information at a glance. This shows information such as the travel path as well as the current battery status, and on-going logistic tasks and their completion status are reported in real time. Using a PIN code, all the servicing information, as well as the data for the trucks can be called up via a USB port.

Cost-Effectiveness through Perfect Harmonization

Autonomously driven logistic trucks are much more cost-effective than manned forklifts for extremely repetitive processes. They can be integrated into continuous round-the-clock operations covering several shifts. Furthermore, self-controlling trucks can coordinate perfectly with each other in terms of routing and speed. This enables material flows to maintain optimal levels and the energy consumption of the logistic trucks is kept to a minimum. What’s more, autonomous forklifts cause substantially less damage to shelving, loads, pallets, and other trucks, as they navigate more accurately than manned forklifts.

Driving Forward Autonomous Intralogistics

In the medium term, warehouses and the logistic trucks operating within them will grow to become an integrated unit as part of the process of industrial digitalization, and intralogistics will also become more closely interwoven with external logistics. From today’s standpoint, the future will see driverless forklifts and pallet trucks networking more and more closely with their environment in the future.

This will include an even more versatile harmonization between “cobots” and human operators, or even closer integration into the goods management system. The operation of largely unmanned warehouses will result in growing demands for fleet networking and the energy efficiency of the trucks being used: Areas in which Linde is driving forward development.

5 X MORE OUTPUT

The geo-navigation system is what makes Linde autonomous forklift trucks and pallet trucks precision, high-turnaround logistic trucks.

Self-steering forklifts detect their surroundings precisely and react accordingly, meaning architectural features, as well as other trucks and people, are safely avoided.

Linde autonomous trucks are extraordinarily economical. They are not shift-dependent and so are available around-the-clock.

The autonomous forklifts model series is based on robust Linde models equipped with intelligent robotic control.

The Linde autonomous trucks cause virtually no damage as they work more precisely than manned forklifts, eliminating the risk of human error.

Tailor-made trucks

None of Linde’s autonomous trucks are kitted out according to rigid principles: In addition to standard equipment, each model is also supplied with optional additional features. This includes additional navigation features such as a 2D laser curtain and additional laser-based side sensors. Various battery sizes and electronically authenticated battery locks, bar code readers, and hydraulically adjustable load forks are also available for autonomous Linde forklifts as special equipment, such as various different drive and lift motors or programmable height limitation for the lifting mast.

Ireland’s Leading Automation Solutions Specialists

Our team of experts are waiting to help you maximise the capability of your warehouse.

Click here to enquire