Egemin Automation (Booth 2347) and Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America (MCFA) introduced the first hybrid automatic guided vehicle, a standard off-the-shelf fork truck that can be operated in manual mode as a lift truck or in a completely automated mode as an AGV.

“For the past 25 years, I have been asked by customers why couldn’t we put a control box on a standard forklift,” said Mark Stevenson, VP of business development for Egemin. “We finally realized that lift truck and AGV technology have grown close enough that we could do it.”

The hybrid vehicle is a production line lift truck with automated capabilities that can be serviced by an MCFA dealer. “We wanted the manufacturing scale, standardization and familiarity that you get with an off-the-shelf truck,” Stevenson said. “The lift truck is the most standard component in the supply chain.”

Initially, Egemin is targeting food and beverage manufacturers and applications such as end of the line palletizing and truck loading.

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