GERMANY AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE MARKET FORECAST 2023-2030

Automated forklifts, essentially mechanical machines equipped to stack pallets, store, and retrieve goods, are transforming industrial logistics. These heavy-duty devices can transport large items such as cars, steel coils, or substantial paper rolls over extensive distances, effectively reducing labor costs. Predominantly employed within factories and warehouses, these guided fork trucks possess the unique capability to handle loads, requiring no human intervention autonomously. Their utility in diverse industrial processes is significantly enhanced by their ability to adjust their forks to any required height, aligning seamlessly with conveyors or load platforms.

On the other hand, automated pallet trucks are compact yet agile vehicles designed primarily for the horizontal transportation of palletized goods. They usually feature a load-bearing structure with forks, a frame, or a platform. These vehicles find extensive use in warehouse or factory environments where tasks such as order picking, transference of products between workstations, line feeding, and restocking are commonplace. Their specific design and automation make them valuable in maintaining efficient operations.

Other technologies integrated into automated guided vehicles (AGVs) include optical tape guidance and natural navigation. Optical tape guidance employs the use of tapes for navigation within a facility. This technology simplifies the process of lane installation and maintenance, making it cost-effective. The system can detect standard luminous adhesive tape regardless of surface imperfections, contaminants, or background. Furthermore, it provides the advantage of reading 1D codes, allowing for transmitting various data and driving commands in case of an overrun.

On the other hand, AGVs equipped with natural navigation are effortless to implement since they do not require the workspace to undergo any retrofitting. These vehicles utilize a blend of laser range finders and gyroscopes to identify their current location and dynamically calculate the shortest route to their intended destination. Additionally, these vehicles have the capability to compute a failsafe mechanism. This feature mitigates the downtime caused by a malfunctioning component, subsequently minimizing the impact on the overall operation.

Key companies in the Germany automated guided vehicle market include SSI Schaefer Group, KION AG, etc.

KION Group AG is a global leader providing industrial trucks and supply chain solutions. It offers an extensive array of industrial trucks, including forklift and warehouse trucks, and integrated automation technology and software solutions for supply chain optimization. The company operates in three segments: industrial trucks & services, supply chain solutions, and corporate services. The industrial trucks & services segment is inclusive of warehouse technology, forklift trucks, related services, and associated financial services. 

KION Group AG maintains a multi-brand strategy with brands like Baoli, STILL, Linde, Fenwick, and OM. The supply chain solutions segment includes technology and software to enhance supply chains, offering manual and automated solutions. The Corporate Services segment comprises holding companies and service providers offering IT and general administration services.

One of the company’s prominent offerings is the P-MATIC, an automated tugger train designed for high-volume horizontal material transport. It is primarily used in warehouse and production logistics for transporting raw materials, packaging materials, work in progress, finished goods, and waste disposal.