"We already have a wide range of assistance systems, cameras, and sensors in use," explained Rolf Huber at forklift manufacturer Still's Innovation Day in front of an audience of experts, customers, and visitors in Otelfingen. Now, an AI is perfecting the whole thing. With new LiDAR scanners and preferably in real time.

«Every project is different»

"Logistics planning will change significantly in the coming years," says the Vice President of Kion ITS EMEA Switzerland. The reason: With the help of faster computer rendering, a dynamic image of the warehouse environment is created where AutoCAD previously provided valuable services in reproducing static warehouse environments . Now, with the help of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), precise laser distance measurement is added, bringing the entire scenario into motion in real time . "We fly through the 3D landscape," says Huber.

In real time on the screen. Photos: klk.

The LiDAR point cloud provides the data, which is no longer static but sets the model and the digital twin in motion. Warehouse environments can be represented much more realistically this way , but above all, they can be tested "live" by adding additional vehicles and changing variations. Huber: "This is important – because every project is different and requires a customized approach."

Test interfaces

The artificial intelligence provides sufficient computing power to test interfaces of material flow components, industrial trucks, and combinations in real time. This is a veritable "grab bag" that is bearing significant fruit in international development cooperation with the actual computer game specialist NVIDIA and the software nerds at Accenture under the Kion umbrella .

A. Heimburger, R. Huber

At Kion – and in this case at Still with Switzerland boss Alexander Heimburger and his team in Otelfingen – everyone is currently “learning”.

While AI offers virtually endless possibilities and solutions, it also has its limitations, Huber explained to the interested audience at Innovation Day. Of course, not everything happens automatically, as if by magic. One thing is clear: "There also has to be a reasonable business case, a sensible use case," Huber said.

, there will be plenty of opportunity to take a look at the latest forklift models outside the site on Industriestrasse in Otelfingen as well as to inspect the most important assistance systems inside in the Service & Safety area.

Well-attended customer day

Sister company Dematic will be on hand with automation examples; autonomous driving will be demonstrated non-destructively in a separate hall using a Reachmaster on the high-bay rack and the EXV 16 automated high-lift truck. The robotized vehicles will operate in their familiar safety mode and with their full arsenal of safety features at a steady walking pace, but with the 24/7 option, which ensures progress in the material flow process with high reliability.

Leisurely but 24/7

The inner workings of the robotic vehicles are complex, but they don't serve an end in themselves or the beauty of the modern working world. Rather, they serve to quickly simulate real-life processes that are to be optimized with the help of AI, ultimately making them simpler and more efficient on-site. Huber: "Who knows what our business will look like in ten or twenty years..."

Who knows...

For completely normal human needs and to cover calorie needs, there is still catering for attendees, visitors, and customers, who gather in a pleasant environment and exchange experiences while networking. A successful implementation in the knowledge transfer of new approaches and methods, which still require explanation on site in order to be meaningfully applied.

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