Unmanned forklifts-also known as AGV forklifts or forklift robots-are driverless industrial vehicles that utilize multi-sensor fusion navigation to perform automated material handling, loading/unloading, and stacking tasks. Available product types include counterbalanced models, reach trucks, and pallet trucks. In 2024, sales volume in China reached 24,500 units-a year-on-year increase of 25.64%-with a market size of approximately 5 billion RMB.
The history of forklifts dates back to 1917, when the U.S.-based Clark Company produced the world's first forklift. The industry has evolved from manual forklifts to AGV forklifts through the integration of automation modules like laser navigation, and is now advancing toward the "3.0 generation," with some companies introducing next-generation forklift AMRs. Technologies such as 5G and large AI models are driving the transformation of unmanned forklifts from mere "executors" into "decision-makers."
