US materials handling equipment manufacturer Big Joe Autonomous Solutions, has launched four new products at the Automate Show in Chicago, saying the new range makes automation more accessible to a wider market segment.

The new products include an autonomous pallet truck, autonomous counterbalance stacker, autonomous tugger and autonomous three-wheel forklift.

Nick Malewicki, GM of Big Joe Autonomous Solutions, explains: “Customers are looking for practical and approachable automation that simply works within their existing operations, not systems that require a complete redesign of their facility”.

“This new lineup is designed to help operations move materials more efficiently while giving teams access to simple, scalable technology that can deliver value immediately,” he continues.

The AP44 is a 4,400 lb. (1,995kg) capacity pallet truck designed to augment the workforce by transporting palletised goods and functions as a standard electric pallet truck in manual mode.

The semi-autonomous mode lets an operator engage the pallet and step away while the unit handles transport and drop-off autonomously. 

Big Joe says the fully-autonomous mode requires no operator involvement and can execute a variety of horizontal transport missions independently. 

All three modes can also run in the same operation, scaling autonomy task-by-task rather than committing to a single workflow.

The ASC40 is a 4,000 lbs. (1,800kg) capacity counterbalance stacker which introduces hands-free vertical material movement for pallet staging, racking and line-side replenishment. 

It is optimised for autonomous operation only, with a compact footprint and the ability to pick and place loads at heights up to 3 ft. (0.9m), making it suitable for facilities which need to automate repetitive stacking tasks in tight spaces.

Big Joe says it is most suitable for manufacturers and distribution centres seeking greater throughput without increasing labour requirements.

The ATC100 autonomous tugger is purpose-built to autonomously tow a variety of trailer configurations and enables facilities to automate point-to-point transport of carts, components and in-process materials up to 10,000 lbs. (4,500kg).

The tugger also supports mixed human-machine operations in shared workspaces, allowing operators to control the truck in manual mode at any time.

The fourth product launched by Big Joe Autonomous Solutions was the ACV40 4,000 lbs. (1,800kg) capacity autonomous three-wheel forklift which is suitable for indoor warehouse operations where traditional IC and electric forklifts have historically been challenging to automate.

The ACV40 offers fleets a direct autonomous replacement which allows manual use by an operator on demand and extends Big Joe's push to make autonomous operation accessible across heavier, more demanding applications.

“Big Joe has been on the leading edge of the industry's shift from internal combustion to electric, and now we're taking that same approach to autonomous vehicles as well – making it practical, accessible and scalable for the operations that need it most,” says Martin Boyd, chief marketing officer, Big Joe Forklifts. 

“These four new products aren't just additions to our lineup; they're proof that the path from electric to fully autonomous doesn't have to be disruptive. We're meeting customers exactly where they are and giving them a clear road forward.”