Presented as a world premiere at LogiMAT 2026, the AXL 15 iGo automates truck loading and unloading
STILL, a leading supplier of intralogistics systems and equipment, is presenting a true milestone in intralogistics at LogiMAT 2026: the first production-ready solution on the market for automating truck loading and unloading without the need for fixed safety technology at the loading bay. With the new autonomous AXL 15 iGo electric pallet truck, STILL is closing one of the last major gaps in warehouse automation: the management of incoming and outgoing goods directly at the loading bay.
Automation comes to the loading bay
The loading bay area is traditionally characterized by tight deadlines, staff shortages, night shifts, and challenging operating conditions, from high summer temperatures to freezing winter temperatures. Furthermore, limited space, variable trailer geometries, and very stringent safety requirements must be addressed. While many companies have long since automated warehouses, internal transport, and handling systems, truck loading and unloading has remained a process considered difficult to automate.
“With the AXL 15 iGo, we're filling a historic gap in intralogistics, making automated truck loading and unloading an accessible and easily implementable standard for the first time,” explains Matteo Piantanida, Head of Sales Automation at STILL in Italy. “Our solution makes receiving and shipping goods more efficient, safe, predictable, and reliable. Process standardization enables repeatable workflows, significantly increasing operational stability and transparency. This is a key step in our strategy: to offer scalable automation solutions for every area of intralogistics.”
Thirty pallets in thirty-five minutes in an autonomous, flexible and safe way
The AXL 15 iGo autonomous pallet truck was specifically developed for automating truck loading and unloading: two vehicles operating in tandem can autonomously load up to 30 EPAL pallets in approximately 35 minutes. Thanks to innovative localization and positioning logic integrated with a new, holistic safety concept, the truck can automatically recognize the trailer's internal configuration and precisely position the pallets. A particularly significant advantage for users is that the AXL 15 iGo does not require any fixed safety systems at the gate, such as scanners or reflectors installed on the bay or in the trailer. This makes the solution highly flexible, quick to implement, and easy to integrate into existing operations.
Safety and precision in the tightest spaces
To ensure safe handling and precise navigation, the AXL 15 iGo uses two complementary technologies: on the outside of the trailer, it uses Visual SLAM 3D localization technology; on the inside, it uses LiDAR-based localization, which allows for centimeter-level accuracy. The truck also integrates LiDAR safety scanners, camera systems, light and acoustic signals, and 3D pallet detection.
A solution for multiple sectors
The AXL 15 iGo is particularly suited to sectors with high volumes of pallets and standardized load units, such as 3PL operators, food logistics, retail, and manufacturing companies. With a load capacity of up to 1,500 kg and a speed of up to 2 m/s, the truck can meet a wide range of industrial needs. Integration into automated fleets is scalable via a VDA 5050 interface, a dedicated fleet manager, and open APIs for warehouse management systems (WMS).
World premiere at LogiMAT 2026
STILL will present the AXL 15 iGo to the public for the first time at LogiMAT 2026, in Hall 10, Stands B40 and B41. The truck will be available immediately after the trade fair. “Our customers ask us for solutions that can be implemented immediately. That's why we chose to launch the product only once it was ready for rapid market release,” says Piantanida.
About STILL
Specializing in intralogistics solutions, STILL has a product portfolio that includes forklifts, warehouse technology, connected systems, and services. Founded in 1920 by Hans Still, the company offers customized and customer-optimized solutions, backed by excellent service. STILL's goal is to make intralogistics "intelligent," developing solutions that make warehouse operations smoother and more efficient, protect the health of workers, and simultaneously meet the highest sustainability standards. With this goal, STILL is committed to promoting new solutions for electric mobility, automation, fleet and energy management, as well as circularity, i.e., the consistent conservation and recycling of resources. Headquartered in Hamburg, STILL employs 7,100 people and is present in 89 countries. The Italian organization can count on the most solid and widespread sales and service network in the country, consisting of 10 direct branches, over 50 dealers and partners, 950 service technicians and over 170 sales representatives.
Tezmaksan: making automation accessible to every factory
Cobots are changing manufacturing, but the real value comes from seamless integration Cobots have radically redefined expectations for automation, emerging as a direct response to some of the industry's most pressing pressures. Persistent labor shortages, rising production demands, and the physical limitations of traditional factory layouts have made flexibility a priority. Their appeal lies in their combination of simple integration, affordable investment levels, and the ability to operate safely. In this article, Hakan Aydoğdu, CEO of Tezmaksan Robot Technologies, a company specializing in CNC automation, reflects on how collaborative technologies are redefining automation. The latest World Robotics 2025 report highlights the rapid acceleration of this shift towards automation. Industrial robot installations reached 542,076 units in 2024, more than double the figure recorded a decade earlier. This is the fourth consecutive year in which annual installations have surpassed the half-million mark. Asia continues to dominate, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all new installations, while Europe and the Americas account for much smaller shares. These numbers reveal not only the speed of adoption but also the global imbalance in automation readiness. The global automation landscape Recent research by Make UK highlights that approximately 36% of manufacturing vacancies are difficult to fill due to a lack of candidates with the right skills, qualifications, or experience. Collaborative robots are playing an increasingly important role in filling this gap. By taking on repetitive, physically demanding, or high-risk tasks, cobots help manufacturers maintain production levels even in times of labor shortages. Cobots consistently deliver increased productivity and more reliable quality, freeing human workers to focus on complex or value-added tasks. They also help improve workplace well-being by reducing stress and injuries, and their simple programming makes automation achievable without long wait times or extensive training. For many companies, this combination accelerates the path to a measurable return on investment. Navigating the new regulations In the manufacturing sector, cobots are increasingly used to optimize assembly lines and improve operational workflows. Studies indicate that cobots can significantly improve productivity by automating repetitive tasks and allowing human workers to focus on more complex tasks that require cognitive skills. Regulatory frameworks are evolving alongside this technological momentum. The EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, which replaces the previous Machinery Directive, was adopted in 2023 and will be fully applicable from January 2027. It introduces a more rigorous approach to safety, liability, and cybersecurity for advanced machines and collaborative systems. The new requirements push manufacturers toward clearer accountability and more rigorous compliance processes, signaling that compliance and safer integration will become a key factor in the implementation of automation in the coming years. For engineers, this has direct implications for the design, implementation, and validation of collaborative robotic systems. In logistics environments, cobots are increasingly used for palletizing, order picking, and intralogistics material handling, where integrated vision systems, force sensors, and safety scanners enable close human-robot collaboration without traditional safety cages. In automotive manufacturing, cobots support precision assembly, screwdriving, quality control, and machine servicing, improving cycle time consistency and reducing ergonomic strain on operators. Best practices for seamless integration include conducting task-specific risk assessments in line with ISO 12100 and ISO/TS 15066, implementing safety-certified monitored shutdowns, speed and separation monitoring, and ensuring robust cybersecurity controls for connected robotic cells. Engineers are also advised to prioritize modular system architectures, standardized industrial communication protocols (such as PROFINET or EtherCAT), and digital simulation tools to validate layouts and workflows prior to physical implementation. Challenges in legacy production environments Many manufacturing environments are aging or are built around legacy systems that weren't designed for robotics. Restricted layout plans, outdated infrastructure, or patchy connectivity can complicate integration. When new technology meets older equipment, the process can become costly or time-consuming if the two aren't seamlessly aligned. A robot's capabilities alone don't determine how collaborative automation will work. Installing and configuring robotic systems, integrating software, and maintaining everything involved can push a team beyond its current capabilities. The initial costs, from the equipment itself to facility modifications and staff training, can seem high, especially in the current economic climate. Traditional robots, typically built for fixed, repetitive tasks, often require extensive reprogramming every time they change products or layouts, resulting in downtime that can quickly erode their overall advantage. To address these limitations, manufacturers are adopting increasingly flexible automation approaches that prioritize rapid deployment, reconfigurability, and scalability of investments, especially for small and medium-sized operations. For example, the CubeBOX EcoLEAN-V1 and V2 allow systems to be repositioned and adapted as workflows evolve. This flexibility allows manufacturers to scale automation incrementally without tying production to fixed layouts. This reflects a broader shift towards agile automation, solutions designed to adapt to changing production needs. EcoLEAN is available in various configurations to support different payloads, part sizes, and space constraints, enabling deployment in a wide range of production environments. The right investment A Deloitte survey of 600 manufacturing executives in 2025 found that 80% of them plan to invest 20% or more of their improvement budgets in smart manufacturing initiatives this year, with a focus on core tools and technologies. This level of commitment signals a clear shift in the industry: manufacturers no longer view digitalization and automation as optional upgrades, but as essential capabilities that will define competitiveness in the years to come. While collaborative technology is driving this transformation, it is flexibility, mobility, and financial accessibility that will ultimately redefine how manufacturing operates and who has access to the benefits of automation.
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