Stacking pallets without a driver? igus’s autonomous forklift makes logistics more efficient

Cost-effective, autonomous, and ready for immediate use: igus presents the ReBeL Pallet Mover, a solution to the shortage of skilled workers

Empty driver’s seats and pallets lying around: German logistics staff are in short supply. According to Fraunhofer SCS, 94% of companies complain about a lack of skilled workers. While the search for qualified forklift drivers often takes months, the plastics specialist igus from Cologne is now presenting a solution: the ReBeL Pallet Mover. This autonomous forklift lends a hand where no staff is available.

The logistics sector has been reporting severe labor shortages for several years now. This shortage affects not only truck drivers but also warehouse staff, including forklift operators. Plastics specialist igus has also experienced this. With more than 40,000^{sq. m} In the logistics area at its headquarters in Cologne, igus faced the same problem as many other medium-sized companies:

“We just can’t find any employees with a forklift license,” explains Rob Gijzen, product manager of the Low Cost Automation Business Unit. “That’s why we built the solution ourselves.”

The ReBeL Pallet Mover is more than just a transport device; it’s a digital teammate. Equipped with state-of-the-art sensor technology and intelligent navigation, it performs repetitive and tedious transport tasks fully automatically. The ReBeL Pallet Mover navigates complex warehouse layouts independently, picks up pallets, and moves them to the correct location. Integrated sensors detect obstacles in real time, ensuring safety within the production area and enabling smooth operation alongside people. Priced at just €67,340¹ The investment pays for itself in just 12 to 18 months. ​

Six to ten-hour shift

​Measuring 1.7 m in length, just under 1 m in width, and approximately 2 m in height, the igus Pallet Mover features a deliberately compact design. Depending on the application, igus offers the forklift with different load capacities: 300 kg, 1,400 kg, and 1,500 kg. It reaches speeds of up to 5.4 km/h and can perform its tasks completely autonomously for six hours (Pallet Mover 300) or ten hours (Pallet Mover 1,400/1,500). This is made possible by a 1,104 Wh or a 4,320 Wh battery. The company also customizes the autonomous helper to meet specific requirements.

“A common problem is the design of the forks. With the ReBeL Pallet Mover, this is fully adjustable,” explains Gijzen. To make it easier for smaller companies to get started with autonomous material handling, igus has significantly reduced the purchase price compared to existing solutions. The Pallet Mover 300 is available for €67,340². igus is able to offer it at this price by reducing the number of components; the safety infrastructure is centrally installed at the top of the forklift. The connected load sensors are also integrated in a cost-effective manner. ​

Live experience at LogiMAT and the AMR Days
​There is high demand for autonomous forklift solutions and other autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). In this context, igus views autonomous solutions as a complement to human logistics experts. igus offers a proof of concept prior to purchase. To make it as easy as possible for companies to get started with automation, igus not only presented the Pallet Mover at LogiMAT but also invited visitors to its own AMR Days. Here, logistics managers could experience firsthand how the ReBeL Pallet Mover eases the burden on material handling and proactively addresses the shortage of skilled labor.

Learn more about the new ReBeL Pallet Mover at:
​Autonomous forklift – driverless transport systems for efficient warehouse operations