An animation team created the flying robot "I-T20", short for "IFOY Transformer 2020", which transformed itself into the categories of the world's largest intralogistics award during the ceremony. When the I-T20 then "beamed" the trophies to the winners, there was great jubilation at the world premiere of the digital ceremony. "Special times require special solutions. And change is the key to success. This year's award ceremony is intended to send out a visible signal of the power of transformation.

It is dedicated to the best innovations in intralogistics, and also to the people who make logistics possible," said jury chairwoman Anita Würmser at the award ceremony. Bosch Rexroth won its first IFOY Award straight away with its Locator - Laser Localization Software in the "Intralogistics Software" category. In contrast to the systems available on the market, the localization software based on laser distance measurement uses a laser sensor to automatically map the environment, thus creating a basis for autonomous driving in intralogistics and production environments.

In the "Warehouse Truck lowlifter" category, the compact and maneuverable Combi-CS from Irish specialist Combilift won over the jury. The pallet truck with a load capacity of one tonne and a lifting height of 2500 millimetres offers significant added value in terms of operation and safety in narrow aisles thanks to its patented multi-position tiller, thus solving a widespread problem.
In the Warehouse Truck highlifter category, the ESR 1000 from US manufacturer Crown won the race against strong competition. The reach truck with a load capacity of 1.6 tons and a lifting height of 6840 millimetres impressed in the IFOY test with its Crown-typical comfort, but above all with a 25 percent faster lowering speed and outstanding energy recovery compared to the top trucks on the market.

In the "AGV & Intralogistics Robot" category, the jury opted for the autonomous tugger train TractEasy from French manufacturer EasyMile. The electric tug enables flexible automation of logistics processes both indoors and outdoors. With a towing capacity of 25 tons, it can travel safely at speeds of up to 25 km/h in mixed traffic between cars, pedestrians and bicycles and, thanks to its ground clearance, can also be used on uneven terrain or in difficult weather conditions.

In the "Special Vehicle" category, the SRSC45H9 from Chinese manufacturer Sany won an IFOY. The comfortable hybrid full container stacker offers lifting capacities of 45, 31 and 15 tons in the first, second and third rows. According to an internal Sany test, the increase in productivity is at least 15 percent compared to the company's own standard vehicle and fuel consumption is 20 percent lower. The advantages are due to a hybrid system that is geared towards raising and lowering the boom with the spreader.

The 2.5-tonne RX 60 electric forklift truck from Hamburg-based manufacturer Still, which was launched in October 2019, was the clear winner in the counterbalance truck category. "Never before has an electric truck been so productive and such a serious alternative to combustion engines in the IFOY test. With the high-performance version of the RX 60-25, Still has broken all records and raised the bar for electric forklifts in this segment," was the jury's verdict.

The IFOY AWARD in the "Start-up of the Year" category went to Wiferion - formerly Blue Inductive - with etaLINK 3000. The first 100 percent contactless wireless charging system for industrial electric vehicles is fully operational and enables quick and flexible installation using floor plates, which no longer requires any infrastructure measures.

The IFOY AWARD is chosen annually by an international jury of trade journalists. The sponsor of the IFOY Award is the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association. The IFOY partner is the Hannover Messe. Pallet partner of the IFOY Award is CHEP, technology partner is the battery charging specialist Fronius.

IFOY AWARD: All 2020 winners at a glance
Locator - Laser Localization Software, Bosch Rexroth
Combi-CS, Combilift
ESR 1000, Crown
TractEasy, EasyMile
SRSC45H9 Hybrid Reach Stacker, Sany Europe
RX 60, Still
etaLINK 3000 - wireless charging system, Wiferion