Modex 2012: Raymond unveils automated lift truck prototype

The Raymond Corp. (Booth 712) unveiled a prototype of an upcoming line of automated lift trucks that will be available for sale this summer at a press conference yesterday.

According to Frank Devlin, marketing manager for advanced technologies at Raymond, automated pallet trucks will be available with fork lengths up to 96 inches. The next automated release will be a 10,000-pound tow tractor.

“These products are geared toward flexibility for customers with operator-optional applications,” said Devlin.

Guided by technology from Seegrid, the automated trucks do not use lasers, magnetic tape or other fixed path technologies, and can learn up to 15 miles of routes in unlimited configurations.

Jim Hess, national accounts manager for Raymond, emphasized that the new lift trucks would share the efficiency of existing Raymond products. According to third-party tests, said Hess, Raymond trucks are 17% to 40% more efficient than competitors, and enable 6% to 9% better productivity.

Modex 2012 is scheduled to be held February 6-9, 2012 in Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center. The tradeshow will showcase the latest manufacturing, distribution and supply chain solutions in the material handling and logistics industry. Modern’s complete Modex 2012 coverage.