Autonomous forklifts can reduce exposure to errors such as unlicensed driving, speeding, overloading and unsafe mixed passenger-and-goods operation. The historical article cites 221 accidents involving site-specific motor vehicles in China during 2015–2019, with 209 deaths and 44 injuries. The figures explain the importance of safe material handling.
The article reports that 5,000 forklift-type mobile robots, including visual-navigation models, were sold in China in 2020, an increase of 85%; around 3,400 used laser reflectors. This remained a small share of the approximately 800,000 forklifts sold that year. Wider adoption depends on solving practical site requirements.
1. Flexible material handling
Magnetic-track, QR-code and laser-reflector navigation depend on installed markers. These established approaches suit some indoor workflows but require site preparation. Natural navigation offers greater flexibility without the same positioning infrastructure, while presenting more demanding technical challenges.
The 3D SLAM approach described in the article uses multi-line lidar and sensor fusion to build a three-dimensional map and plan routes for different tasks. Lidar point clouds are combined with odometry and IMU data, with localisation output up to 50 Hz.
The article reports software-level experience values of average indoor localisation within 2 cm and repeatability at task points below 1 cm; corresponding outdoor figures are within 5 cm and below 2 cm. It also describes stable positioning with environmental changes of up to 30%. Actual vehicle accuracy depends on the drive system and chassis execution as well as the navigation algorithm.
2. Routes that connect indoor and outdoor work
Handling often extends beyond the warehouse to containers and outdoor loading areas. The navigation system discussed can switch between indoor and outdoor operation and enter containers for loading and unloading. At the time of the article, the approach was being tested in several logistics warehouses and on complex transport routes.
3. Investment and operating costs
Automated forklifts can support round-the-clock operations. The historical comparison quotes approximately RMB 300,000 for a reflector-guided system and a target vehicle selling price below RMB 200,000 for the 3D SLAM approach. It also notes the constraints that reflector layouts can place on subsequent warehouse changes.
An illustrative five-year comparison assumes ten vehicles. In that example, reflector-guided forklifts reduce total investment by RMB 1.5385 million, or nearly 32%, compared with manually operated electric forklifts. The 3D SLAM example totals RMB 1.3187 million, with stated reductions of 73% in investment and 59% in time costs. These figures describe the article’s scenario rather than a quotation for a new project.
A supporting fleet system takes tasks from ERP or WMS, considers vehicle status and site maps, and allocates work and navigation routes using time and efficiency priorities. Equipment, navigation and fleet coordination need to be planned together around the actual workflow.