An autonomous forklift truck, also known as a self-driving forklift, is a type of material handling equipment that can navigate and operate without the need for a human operator. These machines use a combination of sensors, cameras, and advanced software to navigate and perform tasks such as loading and unloading materials, transporting goods, and stacking pallets.
One of the main benefits of autonomous forklift trucks is increased efficiency and productivity. Without the need for a human operator, these machines can work around the clock, reducing downtime and increasing the amount of work that can be accomplished in any given period of time.
Additionally, because they are programmed to follow specific routes and perform specific tasks, they are less likely to make errors or cause accidents, which can lead to additional costs and delays.
Autonomous forklift trucks can also be integrated into existing warehouse management systems, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of the entire material handling process. This can help managers to optimize operations and make more informed decisions about inventory and production.
One of the most important components of an autonomous forklift truck is its navigation system. Each solution provider has its own unique suite of sensors, cameras, and software that allows the machine to “see” its surroundings and navigate through the warehouse. Third Wave Automation’s autonomous forklift trucks use LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors to create a 3D map of the warehouse environment as well as cameras and machine vision algorithms to detect and identify payloads, pallets and racks, but more importantly, safe and accurate pallet manipulation.
In addition to navigation, our autonomous forklifts also rely on advanced software and extremely powerful computers to perform tasks. This software typically includes algorithms for path planning, obstacle avoidance, and task execution through our Fleet Management System. Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and continuous learning capabilities, our forklifts to learn and adapt to its environment and allows it to make decisions and perform tasks more efficiently over time.
Autonomous forklift trucks are no longer a luxury, but a necessity for the scalability of a facility. With the use of carefully selected sensors and camperas, coupled with our powerful computing power and software, Third Wave Automation’s autonomous forklifts are revolutionizing the way people look at automation.
With the ability to deploy your forklift fleet in multimodes- autonomous, remote operated or traditional manual, we offer the most flexible and versatile forklift automation solution in the industry.
Want to learn what workflows you could be automating now? Check out the 8 Workflows here