Jungheinrich and Automha have jointly developed a bidirectional shuttle carrier for high-density pallet storage. This solution combines Automha’s extensive shuttle-system experience with Jungheinrich’s strengths in system integration, software, and services across the entire product lifecycle. The primary objective is to offer companies a cost-effective entry path into warehouse automation, charting a gradual journey toward higher levels of automation in existing facilities.
The shuttle technology is gaining increasing relevance
Many companies today face the challenge of boosting throughput in material flow without undertaking drastic changes to their current infrastructures or buildings. At the same time, requirements for space utilization, productivity, and process reliability continue to rise. Shuttle systems provide an ideal answer to these challenges, which is why they are becoming increasingly important.
The bidirectional shuttle carrier developed in collaboration with Automha, the UP-Carrier GTJ, has been designed specifically to address these needs. The solution is conceived as an optimal starting point for warehouse automation, as it integrates seamlessly into existing storage environments and enables higher load density without major structural work. In a first phase, pallet handling and transport continue to be performed using industrial forklifts.
As operational needs evolve and automation requirements grow, transportation processes can be progressively automated. This ensures a clear migration path from manual operations to a fully automated materials flow.
From conventional warehouses to integrated automation
The strategic scope of this agreement goes far beyond the shuttle carrier’s own development. Thanks to the close collaboration between Automha and Jungheinrich, customers benefit from a comprehensive solution in which shuttle technology, racking, roller or chain conveyors, software integration, and technical service are optimally coordinated. This enables faster project planning, more efficient execution, and the backing of a single partner throughout the system’s life cycle.
The solution easily integrates with existing IT systems and warehouse environments and can be expanded, if necessary, with additional automation technologies such as Jungheinrich’s mobile robots. With this offering, Jungheinrich expands its shuttle solutions portfolio with an option that makes an economical entry into automation, guiding the customer through the various stages of warehouse development: from existing conventional facilities to fully automated high-density storage systems.
“Not every company starts its automation journey by building a 100% automated warehouse on day one,” explains Dr. Tobias Harzer, Chief Automation Officer of Jungheinrich. “What really matters is providing an evolution strategy that leverages existing infrastructure while opening the door wide to later stages of automation. With this solution, customers can start from their current situation, progressively develop their material flows, and tailor their investments to the pace of their business growth.”
Strategic addition to the shuttle solutions portfolio
Automha’s collaboration sits within Jungheinrich’s multi-technology, agnostic approach to integration. Depending on each client’s specific needs, Jungheinrich blends proprietary technologies with partner solutions to configure end-to-end automated systems. While multidirectional shuttle carts (four directions), such as those offered by Movu Robotics, are primarily aimed at fully automated, high-density warehouses with high throughput, the solution developed with Automha focuses on existing warehouses and customers seeking a gradual entry into automation.
The development of the shuttle carrier—from initial concept to market launch—was completed in just nine months. Today, this solution is already deployed in more than 200 projects across more than 25 countries.
“This alliance demonstrates how shuttle-car technology expertise and global integration experience complement each other perfectly,” says Gianni Togni, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Automha. “Together we are creating solutions that enable companies to modernize their warehouses with precision and optimize the use of their existing infrastructure.”
