Swiss-based autonomous navigation specialist, Bluebotics has introduced ANT locator, a flexible vehicle tracking and mixed fleet management solution.

Launched this week at Logimat, the solution is designed to not only facilitate the tracking of manual forklifts but also optimise their performance.

With ANT locator integrated into an entire manual fleet, the precise position of each forklift can be tracked and communicated to a company's existing warehouse management system (WMS) or logistics software. This makes it possible to trace the exact location of every payload, at all times.

In addition, ANT locator is also able to manage the interactions between these manual forklifts and both automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

According to Bluebotics, it does this by enabling traffic light systems for mixed vehicle types, smart interactions in pre-defined zones, and the integrated monitoring of all vehicles.

Natively integrated with Bluebotics' popular ANT server AGV/AMR fleet manager, ANT locator also functions with existing WMS, enterprise resource planning (ERP), or fleet management systems. Further add-ons are also available, for example for outdoor use, and to manage the tracking of other mobile assets within shared spaces.

"For manufacturers and warehouse operators looking to improve the efficiency of their internal logistics, ANT locator is a great fit,” says Nicola Tomatis, CEO of Bluebotics.

“It provides the accurate vehicle positions and usage data they need to optimise truck flows, track pallets, manage mixed vehicle interactions and enhance on-site safety."