Empty operator seats and idle pallets: German logistics is caught in a staffing crisis. According to Fraunhofer SCS, 94 percent of companies complain about a lack of skilled workers. While the search for qualified forklift operators often takes months, the plastics specialist igus from Cologne is now presenting a solution: the ReBeL Pallet Mover. An autonomous forklift that steps in where staff are lacking.
The logistics industry has been reporting massive staffing shortages for several years. This shortage affects not only truck drivers but also warehouse staff, including forklift operators. The plastics specialist igus has also experienced this firsthand. With over 40,000 square meters of logistics space at its headquarters in Cologne, igus faced the same hurdle as many medium-sized companies: “We simply can’t find enough employees with forklift licenses anymore,” explains Alexander Mühlens, Head of the Low-Cost Automation Division. “So we built the solution ourselves.” The ReBeL Pallet Mover is more than just a transport device; it’s a digital teammate. Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and intelligent navigation, it handles repetitive and tedious transport tasks fully automatically. The ReBeL Pallet Mover navigates autonomously through complex warehouse layouts, picks up pallets, and delivers them to the right location. Safety within the production area is ensured by sensors that detect obstacles in real time and enable seamless mixed-operation with humans. With a price tag of just 67,340 euros, the return on investment is achieved in as little as 12 to 18 months.
Six to ten hours of operation
The igus Pallet Mover is deliberately designed to be compact, measuring 1.7 meters in length, just under one meter in width, and approximately two meters in height. Depending on the application, igus offers the forklift for various payloads: 300 kg, 1,400 kg , and 1,500 kg. With a speed of up to 5.4 km/h, it can perform its tasks completely autonomously for up to six hours (Pallet Mover 300) or ten hours (Pallet Mover 1400/1500). This is made possible by a 1,104-Wh or 4,320-Wh battery. In addition, the company customizes the autonomous helper to meet the specific needs of its customers. “A common topic is the design of the forks. With the ReBeL Pallet Mover, this is completely variable,” explains Alexander Mühlens. To make it easier for smaller companies to enter the world of autonomous intralogistics, igus has significantly reduced the purchase price compared to existing solutions. The Pallet Mover 300 costs 67,340 euros. This price is made possible by a reduction in components; the safety infrastructure is centrally mounted at the top of the forklift. The attached performance sensors are also cost-effectively integrated.
Live experience at LogiMAT and AMR Days
There is high demand for autonomous forklift solutions and other autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). igus views these autonomous solutions as a complement to human logistics experts. Before purchase, igus offers a proof-of-concept. To make the path to automation as easy as possible for companies, igus is not only showcasing the Pallet Mover at LogiMAT but is also inviting attendees to its in-house AMR Days. Here, logistics managers can experience firsthand how the ReBeL Pallet Mover relieves the burden on intralogistics and proactively addresses the shortage of skilled workers.