Efficiency evaluation of automated forklifts in logistics applications

Alongside the electrification of vehicles, the automation of vehicle fleets in logistics is considered one of the most important innovation topics for shaping the change toward climate neutrality and digitization. Automation in the field of logistics requires a close look at the individual process steps and the performance of automated transport systems compared to manual operation. In this paper, a methodology for the assessment of project efficiency of autonomous mobile robots in warehouse logistics is presented based on a case study in the HOPPER project. Besides an insight into the methodology, first results of a comparison of a manual and an automated process of a side loading of tarpaulin trucks with steel plate pallets are presented, which focus on the weighted process work time as well as expected process costs per year.