Stäubli presents new AGV counterbalance forklift FL1500 in partnership with a leading car manufacturer

The expert in automated heavy-duty transportation focuses its developments on efficiency and practicality – and solutions such as the PF3, the latest AGV platform from Stäubli confirm this again and again. Now the company has taken it a step further. The FL1500 AGV counterbalance forklift is the product of a partnership with Mercedes-Benz, which is also a customer. Stäubli benefitted from extraordinary insights into the car manufacturer’s plants during development. For Jan Louwen, Global Head of AGV and Managing Director of the Stäubli site in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, this was a stroke of luck: 

“It was important for us to find answers to specific challenges in production and intralogistics for the FL1500. We are very grateful for our partnership with Mercedes-Benz, as it has given us deep insights into its logistics processes. Seeing the many applications firsthand and in color offered a unique opportunity to use this knowledge to develop a solution for the broader industry."

Logistics Planning gained a development partner with Stäubli. One that can support the implementation of its intralogistics automation strategy with many years of experience in robotics at the highest level along with continued efforts to advance digitalization.

Superior in many respects

With its unique dimensions, the FL1500 offers the most compact AGV counterbalance forklift design on the market. The automated forklift is characterized by its high maneuverability and small turning circle. This is especially advantageous in confined spaces and hallways. Just as impressive is its high level of serviceability. The FL1500 is designed to enable replacement of important parts within minutes.

Stäubli also makes no compromises when it comes to safety. Beyond two personal safety scanners, which provide 360° protection, the system is equipped with additional sensors for collision avoidance. The forks are secured in such a way to prevent injuries and damage. In addition, the LED bar, which is clearly visible from all sides, indicates the status of the vehicle at a glance. With all this, the FL1500 proves to be particularly suitable for industrial use. And thanks to its patented drive unit, the robust system also handles difficult ground conditions well. In the future, a duplex mast version of the AGV’s simplex mast will be able to handle heights even greater than two meters.

Stäubli will present the prototype of its new AGV forklift to the public for the first time at LogiMAT in March 2024. The FL1500 is expected to be available for order starting in early 2025.