Saw a self driving forklift at the local warehouse supply place last week

I was picking up some oil filters at Grainger's new distribution center and watched this little robot zipping around with pallets, no driver at all. It dodged a guy on a ladder like it was nothing. Has anyone else seen these things in action at their local parts or supply spots?

2 comments

2 Comments

mark498d ago

You said it "dodged a guy on a ladder like it was nothing" and I get why that sounds impressive, but I see it differently. Those things are essentially remote controlled on a set path with a bunch of sensors. They're not really "thinking" or making decisions like a person would. They stop because a laser or camera sees an obstacle, and if that ladder guy had been in the wrong spot at the wrong angle, that forklift would have just sat there beeping until someone came over. I've watched these in action at a couple of warehouses and they break down or get confused way more than people want to admit. It's cool tech for moving things in a straight line on a clean floor, but don't expect it to handle a real mess like a crowded loading dock or a dusty shop floor.

ellis.felix8d ago

Nah you're right, it's just fancy cruise control.