Wrapping up our coverage of ProMat held in Chicago this year, we take a look at some of the product launches at one of the biggest intralogistics shows to be held in North America every two years.

David Griffin, chief sales officer with Seegrid, introduced us to the CR1 autonomous forklift which has a payload capacity of 4,000 lbs. (1,814kg) and lift height of 15 ft. (4.57m).

Griffin says that while projects can be “messy and complicated…it is less so than it was two years ago, and it will be different again in another couple of years” as we become more used to automation and its potential".

US forklift producer Big Joe launched four products at ProMat 2025 including the LPE100S integrated lithium-ion forklift which the company says has a 30% higher lift speed, 20% higher travel speed and improved gradability compared to its predecessor the LPE100, and is complete with a 10,000 lbs. (4,536kg) payload capacity.

Big Joe also launched the LCE65S integrated lithium-ion, cushion-tyre forklifts with 6,500 lbs. (2,950kg) capacity and the LPX155 permanent magnet synchronous motor control, powered by a high-voltage lithium-ion battery and a mobile power unit.

Yale Lift Truck Technologies announced its Yale Relay, an overarching platform encompassing all automated forklifts the company releases going forward and an intuitive drag-and-drop portal that replaces the complex software coding requirements typically associated with automation.

“This new solution represents a reboot of automated lift trucks, positioned to more efficiently meet demand for mobile automation by avoiding the labour and capital constraints of today’s market,” says Kyle Smart, a sales manager with Hyster-Yale group’s Emerging technology division. 

“Not only does Yale Relay address challenges sourcing lift truck operators and software programmers, it completely changes the financial commitment necessary for end users to deploy automation. Rather than a major capital expense, warehouses can simply pay by the month through a rental agreement and avoid the major upfront costs of purchasing equipment.”

One of the many to launch new robotics technology was Agility Robotics which introduced us to the upgraded humanoid robot Digit (pic) produced in collaboration with Nvidia.

Digit has already been commercially deployed and, according to Agility Robotics, could go some way to addressing what it says are more than one million unfilled warehouse jobs across the US.

As part of the relationship, Agility Robotics (“Agility”) is expanding adoption of Nvidia Isaac Sim and Nvidia Isaac Lab robot simulation and learning frameworks to train and test behaviours on Digit, as well as collaborating to make Digit models available to partners through “Mega”, Agility Robotics explains.

Ocada Intelligent Automation (OIA) launched Porter, its pallet moving autonomous robot which features AI capabilities allowing it to adapt to its surroundings as they change. Porter has speeds of up to 4.5 miles (7.2km) per hour, and dynamically adjusts its speed when detecting people or equipment in the area. It has a lower cost per pallet move than any manual solution, according to OIA.

Porter picks, moves and places pallets directly from the floor with precision, even when they are aligned back-to-back. It recognises its surroundings to safely handle and transport heavy loads autonomously and can be configured to handle cages, increasing flexibility and expanding fulfilment capabilities.

EnerSys previewed its NexSys BESS (battery energy storage system) and Synova Sync charger systems which Mattia Bianconi PIC, global application manager with the company’s Motive Power division, says can improve efficiency by up to 97%.

The two systems work together to efficiently store energy and allow this energy to be utilised as cost-effectively as possible.

“We are seeing customers talk about energy as a strategy,” Bianconi adds. “Customers want to be able to control costs and energy usage.”

The Raymond Corporation held demonstrations showing how its ObjectSense Detection and Notification System uses advanced sensors and technology to detect obstacles in the path of lift trucks and notify operators in real-time. 

Raymond says the system has been designed to “reinforce operator training and best practices”, offering audio and visual alert notifications to objects in its path.

Scott Technology launched its NextBot AGV at ProMat, adopting a modular approach to AGV architecture.

Frederic Hermier, director of Materials Handling & Logistics at Scott Technology explains AGVs have played a critical role in materials handling for many years.

“But complex integration and long production cycles have slowed adoption,” Hermier adds. “NexBot changes that—offering a modular, scalable system that integrates easily, deploys faster, and reduces costs. 

“Businesses need automation that not only meets today’s demands but can evolve alongside their operations. By combining advanced safety features, AI-driven navigation, and real-time fleet management, NexBot delivers a future-ready solution designed for growth, adaptability, and long-term efficiency.”

There were a lot of new technologies on show at ProMat 2025, with even more iterations on old technology which continue to improve the way we work and operate within materials handling environments.

North American-headquartered Fox Robotics has released the third generation of its FoxBot autonomous forklift, the Mk3, with expanded capabilities including autonomous trailer loading, auto-adjusting fork tynes, additional software integrations and an expanded sensor suite to enhance safe and efficient movement throughout the warehouse.

The FoxBot Mk3 now has trailer-loading capabilities in addition to unloading, allowing operators to fully automate inbound and outbound dock operations, and can autonomously pick, move and load or unload single or double-stacked pallets into and out of trailers.

“Breakthrough software and hardware innovations on the Mk3 provide warehouse and distribution centres in new industries like manufacturing and industrial distribution, the opportunity to capitalise on the productivity and labor savings the FoxBot ATL provides,” Fox Robotics CEO Marin Tchakarov explains.