The tug equipped with forklift-based robot technology is one of the first forklift models that Hyster Europe has equipped with Balyo Geo navigation technology. No complex changes to the infrastructure are required to automate logistical processes. Instead, the industrial trucks orient themselves to their surroundings with the help of natural building features. Hyster relies primarily on the Geoguidance system for navigation. This system, which is based on so-called lidar technology, determines the position of the forklift truck by orienting itself to fixed points, such as walls, shelves or the building structure. Reflectors or other physical navigation aids are also not necessary.

These robotic solutions are based on forklift trucks from series production, so the industrial trucks can still be operated manually. The robot technology can be switched off at any time and the driver can control the machines manually if required. This means that the forklift truck can also be used spontaneously for other tasks. This is how the robotic solutions for Hyster forklifts differ from automated guided vehicles: AGVs automatically follow their set routes and cannot be operated manually. In addition, some AGVs are limited in their navigation and cannot always avoid obstacles. Hyster trucks equipped with Balyo geo-navigation technology simply take a different route if necessary. If a truck equipped with a geo-guidance system encounters an obstacle, in most cases the software determines an alternative route and the "robot" can continue its journey automatically.

Hyster currently offers several industrial trucks with robot technology - such as the S1.0C, S1.2C and S1.5C counterbalanced pallet trucks and the LO2.5 low lift order pickers. In addition, several tugs used with tugger trains to feed production lines can be equipped with the robotic solutions.

The route to be taken by the tugger train can be saved in the tugger train. After appropriate training, the tugger trains travel to their destinations automatically and stop independently at the individual stations. Prerequisite: The configuration of the tugger train remains unchanged and the weight of the loads to be transported remains approximately the same; otherwise the tuggers must be retrained. If necessary, the robot technology can also be switched off and the tugs are controlled by the driver as usual. pb