Automated truck loading
Autonomous forklifts load whole pallets by trailer and outbound order, for high-volume shipping docks with consistent vehicle types.
Autonomous forklifts load whole pallets by trailer and outbound order, for high-volume shipping docks with consistent vehicle types.
An automated truck-loading system combines autonomous forklifts, dock scanning and dispatch software. When the vehicle docks, the system scans the parking position, the trailer's length, width and floor height, and checks that the vehicle is correctly docked and the pallets will fit; loading follows the outbound order and stacking rules. A 3D camera on the forklift fine-tunes the forks as it enters the trailer, loading one or two pallets at a time. It suits finished-goods warehouses and 3PL distribution centres with high outbound volumes and fairly standard vehicles. Automatic unloading of loose cartons depends on the goods and is assessed case by case for your site.
Typical uses
- Pallet shipping from finished-goods warehouses
- Scheduled outbound routes in 3PL and distribution centres
- Palletised shipping of beverages, household goods and building materials
- Unmanned loading at night and at peak hours
Key figures
| Loading method | Autonomous forklifts, single or double pallet |
|---|---|
| Pallet load | 1,000–2,000 kg |
| Vehicles | Box trucks and semi-trailers; trailer size range confirmed per project |
| Dock detection | 3D scan of vehicle position, trailer length, width and floor height |
| Positioning | On-board 3D camera fine-tunes the forks inside the trailer |
| Loading time per truck | Calculated per project from pallet count, stacking layers and vehicle. Most projects save driver headcount; time per truck is not necessarily shorter than with a skilled driver |
| Dispatch | Linked to WMS outbound orders, released in loading sequence |
Figures are typical configuration ranges; exact specifications are set per project.
Options
- Dock leveller and door-seal interlocks
- Automatic wrapping and labelling before loading
- Outbound sequencing buffer
- Loose-carton unloading (assessed case by case)
Scope of supply
- Machine, drives and control cabinet, assembled and dry-run tested before shipping
- The equipment's own control and fleet software; interfaces to your existing WMS / ERP as the project requires
- Drawings: general arrangement, foundation and anchor plan, electrical schematics
- Conformity documents for the equipment and the whole line, the split of responsibilities and the acceptance criteria are set out in the contract according to the project scope
- Spare-parts list and wear-part recommendation; a first batch can ship with the equipment
- Factory acceptance (FAT): attend in person or follow by live video
- Installation, commissioning and operator training can be included in the offer
What we need for an offer
- Trucks per day, pallets per truck and peak hours
- Vehicle types and internal trailer dimensions, door clear width and height, whether the trailer floor allows an autonomous forklift to drive in, and whether there is a dock leveller
- Pallet sizes, loads and stack heights
- Number of docks and a site plan