Jungheinrich has introduced the EKX 516a hybrid very narrow aisle (VNA) turret truck, designed to bridge the gap between fully manual operation and pure automation. In high-density warehouses, VNA trucks are incredibly efficient at maximizing storage space, but they face a critical bottleneck: the time wasted driving empty from the end of the aisle to the storage location. While automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can solve this, the cost and infrastructure required to convert an entire facility is often prohibitive. The EKX 516a offers a pragmatic alternative.
The truck operates on a dual-mode system. For complex, unpredictable tasks like unloading inbound trucks or handling damaged pallets, an operator drives the truck manually, utilizing the ergonomic multi-functional joystick and the enclosed cab. However, for repetitive, high-speed put-away and retrieval tasks, the operator can activate autonomous mode. The operator drives the truck into the aisle, scans the target pallet, and presses the auto-button. The operator then steps off the truck, and the machine navigates itself down the aisle to the designated rack location, raises the turret head to the precise height, and deposits the pallet-all while the operator begins prepping the next load at the aisle entry point.
Navigation is handled by a combination of ceiling-mounted reflectors and a 360-degree laser navigation system, requiring no physical wires or magnets embedded in the warehouse floor. The truck's onboard PLC communicates directly with the warehouse management system (WMS) via WLAN, receiving real-time storage assignments and optimizing its travel path to minimize energy consumption.
The economic advantage of the hybrid model is striking. Because one operator can effectively manage the inbound/outbound staging area while the truck autonomously handles the long travel distances in the aisle, a single EKX 516a can achieve the throughput of two traditional manually operated VNA trucks. By allowing warehouses to automate the travel and leave the complex handling to human operators, Jungheinrich provides a scalable entry point into warehouse automation without requiring a facility overhaul.
