Christian Reining, Senior Project Manager Innovations & Digitalization Projects at the BLG Logistics Group, explains: "We are delighted to have found a partner in Jungheinrich with whom we can implement our first AGV project. This project serves as a beacon and will hopefully demonstrate several more use cases within BLG."

BLG's automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are to be used to automate parts of the internal panel transport at the Bremen logistics center. Thanks to their laser scanner, the ERC 213a can navigate independently through the warehouse. At the same time, they are able to recognize different load carriers, even if they are oversized, and to stack empty pallets.

The AGVs are connected to BLG's warehouse management system via the Jungheinrich logistics interface. Thanks to this interface, the transport orders generated by the warehouse management system are transmitted directly to the ERC 213a and processed by it. Trucks and warehouse are thus connected to form a complete system.

"Automated guided vehicles are at the heart of automated intralogistics. Based on tried-and-tested Jungheinrich series trucks, supplemented by automation components and controlled by intelligent software, we have designed a system for BLG that handles recurring transport tasks with high handling volumes particularly safely and very efficiently," says Gregor Ringwelsky, Key Account Manager at Jungheinrich.

The ERC 213a is the latest model in Jungheinrich's portfolio of automated guided vehicles. Equipped with lithium-ion technology, the trucks can drive for up to eight hours at full capacity. The battery is charged at predefined intervals or automatically at charging stations as required. This increases the availability of the system and the vehicles can be used around the clock. The ERC 213a can store loads of up to 1.3 tons. The vehicle reaches maximum speeds of up to 2.5 m/s. A 2.8 kW three-phase AC motor provides power, while the electrically controlled lift motor ensures lifting at heights of up to 4,400 mm.