Seventeen nominated products from 15 companies have been given the green light for the 2024 International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year Award final, which will enter its next phase from April 8th to 11th with the test runs at the Dortmund Trade Fair Center. Four of these are startups.

According to its own statement, the IFOY organization has rigorously narrowed down the field of 35 applicants. The intralogistics companies Agilox, Crown, Globe Fuel Cell Systems, HWArobotics, Innok Robotics, Jungheinrich, Meysens, Ravas, Safelog, SSI Schäfer, and Still are now in the running. Box ID Systems, Brightpick, CIP Mobility, and Cybrid are finalists for the spin-off award "IFOY Start-up of the Year.".

Photos: IFOY

“More than half of the applicants didn’t make it to the final round,” said Anita Würmser, Managing Director and Chair of the Jury. “This makes the finalists all the more clearly a reflection of the megatrends of our time.” These trends range from increasingly sophisticated warehouse technology and the now considerable spectrum of applications for mobile robotics and AI to highly innovative components and ever more complex customer projects. “The IFOY Audit will reveal who comes out on top.” Würmser anticipates a fierce competition in the jury sessions for the six winning trophies, which will be awarded in June in Baden near Vienna, Lower Austria.

Integrated Customer Solutions

The premier class of integrated customer solutions promises high excitement, returning for the first time in two years. Big names and groundbreaking automation projects are in the final.

Agilex

With the Agilox swarm at BMW, the jury has sent a flagship project for supply chain management using mobile robots for the automotive sector to the finals. At the BMW, replacing tugger trains and manual , 27 Agilox ONE robots have been supplying workstations with components for . In an average week, the swarm moves approximately 2,624 tons of full and empty containers , covering around 3,294 km in mixed traffic with pedestrians, forklifts, and tugger trains.

Still at Beiersdorf

production center cosmetics Beiersdorf's state, for which Still is responsible for the integrated production and warehouse supply. The greenfield project near Leipzig utilizes fully automated and manual equipment, as well as mobile and stationary components. A total of 25 vehicles are in operation, along with a racking system offering more than 9,700 storage locations and a height of 12.7 meters. A key feature is a sophisticated energy system for 24/7 operation.

Safelog in Sindelfingen

's mobile transport robots Safelog the Mercedes Factory 46 was on networking and transparency of intralogistics supply processes along the supply chain. Pick-by-lightsystems and a fleet of 350 AGVs from the Bavarian robotics specialists are used for picking and transporting components to the production lines. Equipped with their own intelligence, the AGVs are able to make independent decisions; at critical points, the central control system with real-time monitoring takes over.

Warehouse Trucks

The workhorses of many high-performance warehouses and distribution centers remain among the best-selling products. From a traditionally wide range of options, the jury has selected two brand-new high-lifters as finalists this year.

Crown's ESR 1200

newly developed ESR 1200,with a lifting capacity of 2 tons and a lifting height of 14.2 meters, impresses with its holistic approach to sustainability and productivity. The reach truck scores points both with product improvements, such as the new mast design for greater stability and visibility, and with the modern reduction of its ecological footprint resulting from the redesigned production process.

With the Jungheinrich EJC 112i, the jury has selected a versatile lithium-ionelectric high-lift pallet truck with a load capacity of up to 1.2 t and a lifting height of 4.7 m. In the traditionally highly competitive entry-level segment, this compact all-rounder promises to set new standards in terms of compactness, performance, and hydraulic power. Key features include a reduced front overhang, high energy density, and residual load capacity.

Mobile Robots

AGVs, AMRs, and similar technologies are trending in intralogistics. Many logistics service providers are increasingly relying the shortage of skilled workers and for reasons of cost-effectiveness 24/7 helpers

Induros

autonomous transport robot Induros from Innok Robotics, capable of handling loads up to 700 kg, can be used outdoors, indoors, or in a combination of both, regardless of weather, poor ground conditions, or other obstacles. It autonomously couples and detaches trailers, and a modern web browser is all that's needed for operation. Its hybrid navigation system, combining lidar and GPS, automatically and seamlessly selects the optimal navigation and sensor technology for each situation.

Soto at Jungheinrich

The jury has given the green light to Jungheinrich's Soto robot , featuring a new gripping concept and the VDA 5050 industrial communication standard, for use in mixed fleets. The fully autonomous mobile robot picks up small load carriers (SLCs) and places them in flow racks on production and assembly lines. It can transport up to 24 SLCs of varying sizes simultaneously . Target groups include the automotive, electronics, and white goods industries, as well as injection molding.

EXV iGo

Also in the final is Still's first automated series vehicle, the EXV iGo. Its origins as an industrial warehouse vehicle promise sophisticated technology, easy commissioning, and fast service for scalable automation solutions. The ability to use the vehicle either stand-alone or in mixed operation alongside manually operated vehicles, or to switch to manual operation as needed, makes this robust warehouse assistant a smart gateway to the world of automated warehouse processes, even for companies with smaller fleets and little to no automation experience.

Stationary Robots

The potential of stationary robotics is enormous, especially when it comes to retrofitting existing warehouses or order picking.

SLS600

HWArobotics, a Singapore-based manufacturer of high-quality warehouse and logistics robots, has reached the finals with its SLS600 3D shuttle robot system to different levels using a lift travel

SSI Piece Picking

SSI Piece Picking from SSI Schäfer is a robotic cell for the previously costly and labor-intensive picking of individual items. This versatile system solution offers advanced features such as pick-and-place, object recognition using artificial intelligence, patented gripping point determination, and gentle product handling. The application, designed for up to 1200 picks per hour, can be intelligently combined with conveyor and shuttle systems.

Specials of the Year

Small cause, big effect: Often it is subtle details that determine the success or failure of products.

iCP fork carrier scale

With the iCP forklift scale featuring Weighing-in-Motion technology from Ravas, weighing stops and interruptions while driving are a thing of the past. The measurement process starts automatically as soon as the driver picks up the pallet. The data can be transferred to any ERP or WMS and is used for weight-based invoicing.

Globe XLP80

With its hydrogen-powered Globe XLP80 , Globe Fuel Cell Systems has designed it for use in counterbalance forklifts from 2.5 to 5 tons. This powerful unit is particularly suitable for heavy industry, the beverage industry, and logistics in general. A key advantage is its automotive-grade quality. Numerous sensors transmit data to the DataCore cloud, which is then available to customers for comprehensive reports and services.

Toposens Echo One

the world's first 3D ultrasonic sensor Toposens Echo One that mimics the echolocation technique of a bat, promises nothing less than a revolution in collision avoidance for mobile robots. Unlike sensor technologies such as lidar or cameras, which can be affected by lighting conditions, reflections, and weather, the acoustic Echo One uses ultrasonic waves to precisely capture its environment even when optical sensors reach their limits.

Start-ups in the final

For the IFOY Spin-off Award Start-up of the Year, which is usually quite broad in scope, the jury selects four finalists who, with their unique selling points, could usher in revolutionary transformations.

Box ID ProcessGuard

a real-time scanning solution for goods shipment in distribution logistics, received the green light in the startup category Box ID ProcessGuard, . Thanks to its innovative IoT approach, the system enables error-free order picking and also optimizes container cycles. The solution can be connected to ERP/EWM systems for real-time target/actual comparisons and promises significant cost savings.

Brightpick Autopicker

The patented Brightpick Autopicker from Bratislava is an autonomous mobile robot that picks and consolidates orders directly in the warehouse aisles. Unlike other fulfillment robots, the AI-powered Autopicker no longer needs to travel back and forth to central picking stations, enabling higher throughput with fewer devices. The robots are suitable for any warehouse requiring order picking but can also be used for other tasks.

mocci Smart Pedal Vehicle

reimagining micromobility with its mocci Smart Pedal Vehicle Munich-based startup CIP Mobility is. This maintenance-free work and cargo bike, made of plastic, is ideal for commercial users who want to operate powerfully yet sustainably, whether on the last mile, on company premises, or within their intralogistics. The B2B e-bike promises a range of 60 to 80 km and a recycling rate of 95%. Furthermore, the use of recyclable plastics in production reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 68% compared to aluminum components.

Cybrid Exoskeleton

promises to carry objects weighing up to 20 kg with near-weightless ease, Cybrid exoskeleton claiming to be the first adaptive support suit for the entire upper body on the market. The close-fitting suit automatically follows the user's movements and adapts in real time to the additional weight to be compensated for, the user's posture, and their actions.

The selection of the final winners is preceded by a comprehensive audit with various nomination and testing cycles. Innovation enthusiasts can test the nominated devices hands-on at the Intralogistics Test Camp on April 10th and 11th. In addition to the 17 IFOY finalists, more than 100 innovations will be available for testing in a 10,000 square meter exhibition space. Around 1,500 participants are expected.

The awards ceremony will take place on June 14th in the imperial city of Baden, just outside Vienna. Thanks to a collaboration with the Austrian Hermes Business Forum, the Congress Center and Casino Baden in Lower Austria will provide a spectacular backdrop. Until then, the results will remain confidential – both for the finalists and the public.

Finalists 2024

at a glance

• Agilox: AMR fleet at BMW

• Crown: ESR 1200

• GLOBE Fuel Cell Systems: GLOBE XLP80

• HWArobotics: SLS600 shuttle robot system

• Innok Robotics: INDUROS

• Jungheinrich: SOTO

• Jungheinrich: EJC 112i

• MEYSENS: Toposens ECHO ONE

• RAVAS: iCP forklift scale with Weighing-in-Motion technology

• SAFELOG: Mobile transport robots at Mercedes

• SSI SCHAEFER: SSI Piece Picking

• STILL: Automation project at Beiersdorf

• STILL: EXV iGo

Start-ups of the Year

• BOX ID Systems: BOX ID ProcessGuard

• Brightpick: Brightpick autopicker

• CIP Mobility: mocci Smart Pedal Vehicle

• Cybrid: Cybrid exoskeleton

www.ifoy.org