Yale Robotic Lift Truck Honored by Plant Engineering for Innovation

As supply chain operations are pressured with increasingly rigorous fulfillment requirements and problems with labor availability and turnover, they need solutions capable of delivering productivity, dependability and reduced total cost of operations. Plant Engineering has honoredthe Yale® MPE080VG end rider with Driven by Balyo technology as one such solution, naming it a Product of the Year finalist. It operates as a robotic lift truck using Driven by Balyo technology, independently picking up, transporting and dropping off pallets anywhere on the floor using existing structural features to navigate – no installation of tape, wire or other extra infrastructure required.  

The infrastructure-free navigation enables quick start up and the Balyo architecture can scale according to operational demands, offering the flexibility to manage a single truck or an entire fleet. The truck also offers manual and automatic modes for efficient operation alongside employees and manually operated trucks. An advanced obstacle detection feature controls truck speed and affords smooth, efficient movement, minimizing unnecessary stops and shocks to allow for up to 20,000 hours of use. This makes it ideal for a wide range of load transportation applications, improving labor productivity by freeing employees to focus on higher-value tasks.
 
“This recognition highlights the critical need in the market place that the relationship between Yale and Balyo addresses,” said Lou Micheletto, Manager of Integrated Solutions, Yale Materials Handling Corporation. “Yale® lift trucks equipped with Driven by Balyo technology enable end-users to take advantage of the latest, most advanced robotic technology with the dependability of Yale lift trucks and security of local dealer support.”
 
In its 29th year, the Plant Engineering 2016 Product of the Year reader-choice program celebrates new products in the manufacturing industries. Product of the Year Award winners are honored at the annual Engineering Awards in Manufacturing dinner in Chicago.