The solution, available for selected Hyster tow tractors, pedestrian counterbalance lift trucks and low-level order pickers, maps an environment using a building’s natural features, meaning that the truck’s automated tasks can easily be adapted if there is a change in a site’s infrastructure.
The solution enables the truck to be used as both a completely-automated unit for repetitive tasks or as a supportive, partly-automated machine for activities like order picking, and the automation system can also be fully switched off.
In a release from Hyster Europe, Hyster claimed that the automation solution is fully customisable and that operational challenges are identified through customer consultation and use of the Hyster dealer’s industry and application knowledge.
Hyster Europe staff then undertake simulations and create the right solutions in order for the customer to be able to easily develop and present a business case, and after this, the solution can be implemented without needing complicated integrations with software and warehouse management systems.
Following installation of solutions, support, service and maintenance is available from Hyster Europe, its automation partners and local Hyster distribution associates.
Discussing the solution’s development, Paul Smith, Hyster Europe’s integrated solutions manager, said: “We found that the costly automation solutions usually seen in the logistics sector are implemented on a large scale but fail to meet the needs for recurring, but intermittent, automated tasks.”
Hyster also said in the release that lithium-ion batteries are now available on many Hyster warehouse trucks and lift trucks, like the J1.6XN Electric Counterbalance lift truck.
A zero-emission, electric-laden container handling truck is being developed by Hyster Europe, with the first electric Hyster Big Truck, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery and electric motors, currently moving into the test phase.
Hyster Europe also provides different battery management solutions for a number of Hyster J-series electric trucks up to 3.5 tonnes, and through the Hyster Tracker telematics solution, Hyster Europe supports operations in garnering data ranging from daily service examinations to utilisation analysis.