“The AGV/AMR business is becoming a focal point for an increasing number of logistics integrators.”
In 2023, with the further upgrading of the logistics market and intensified competition, domestic logistics integrators are increasing their investment in automated logistics equipment to meet customer demands for greater efficiency and convenience. Among these, the AGV/AMR business is becoming a key focus for an increasing number of logistics integrators.
KSEC Intelligent (CSSC)
KSEC Intelligent, established in 1998, primarily engages in the planning, research and development, design, production, implementation, and maintenance of intelligent logistics and intelligent production line solutions. Its main business areas include intelligent logistics systems and equipment, intelligent production line systems and equipment, operation and maintenance, spare parts, and related services across four major domains.
Furthermore, KSEC Intelligent is one of the earliest companies in China dedicated to the research development and production of AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) technology. In 1995, KSEC Intelligent commenced AGV product development. By 1997, it had established its own national key logistics laboratory and employed NDC (Natural Distribution Center) technology to produce the first set of AGV verification systems in China (consisting of 2 units). These systems included China’s first laser-guided AGV and the first omnidirectional AGV. In 1998, KSEC Intelligent successfully implemented the first practical application of a laser-guided AGV system at the Honghe Tobacco Factory.
With over two decades of development, KSEC Intelligent now possesses comprehensive independent intellectual property rights in AGV core technology. It offers a wide range of AGV products, with more than 20 different models, which find applications across various industries including tobacco, household appliances, automotive, glass fiber, express delivery, e-commerce, and military. The company currently holds a market share of 70%-80% in the Chinese tobacco industry and 60% in the glass fiber industry. In recent years, it has also achieved remarkable success in fields such as winemaking and smart parking.
KSEC Intelligent Forklifter Robot
New Trend International (NTI)
New Trend International, founded in 2000, has been deeply involved in the fields of intelligent logistics and smart manufacturing for over 20 years, serving more than 40 industries and delivering thousands of large-scale projects.
In 2016, New Trend International established its wholly-owned subsidiary, Shenzhen New Trend International Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd., to further explore the application of intelligent robots in smart logistics and warehousing. The subsidiary has full independent intellectual property rights in industrial mobile robots (AGV), stackers, and other product series. It offers integrated comprehensive services, including solution planning, equipment research and development, product manufacturing, on-site implementation, and after-sales support. The company has successfully delivered hundreds of AGV projects and thousands of stacker products, serving clients across various industries, including machinery manufacturing, petrochemicals, commercial supermarkets, new energy, food, and tobacco.
In May of this year, New Trend Robotics introduced an innovative omnidirectional forklift AGV product called the F5. This product boasts a top speed of up to 1.7m/s, a maximum load capacity of 1000 kg, and a compact and agile design. It is compatible with various standard pallets and combines laser navigation and natural navigation in one. Additionally, it features powerful unified cluster scheduling capabilities, ensuring that hundreds of vehicles can work together without interference, thereby creating more intelligent and flexible logistics solutions for enterprises.
NTI Custom AGV F5
Gen-song Intelligent
Gen-song Intelligent, established in 2007, primarily engages in the research and development, planning, design, installation, and technical services of automation warehousing and intra-enterprise material conveying systems.
As a logistics system integrator, Gen-song Intelligent ventured into the research and development of vision-guided robots in 2014 and launched its first Beetle series vision-guided AGV in 2017. Subsequently, it introduced a series of forklift-style AGV products such as “Giraffe, Plum Deer, Camel, Mammoth, and Rhinoceros” based on the fusion navigation technology of “Laser + Visual SLAM.” To date, Gen-song Intelligent has developed a comprehensive range of intelligent forklifts encompassing various types, including super-heavy-duty, high-lifting, compact, and narrow-aisle AGVs. Its main products include Balanced Weight AGV, Narrow Aisle AGV, and Little Elf AGV, which are flexibly applied in scenarios like stacking and unstacking, box-to-person, easy access, and narrow-aisle operations.
In 2022, Gen-song Intelligent successfully went public and made some strategic adjustments to its AGV business segment and product layout:
It launched a new generation of green intelligent logistics robots and created engineering-level, scalable, and mass-produced narrow-aisle forklift AGVs and Little Elf Bulldozer AGVs.
It established diversified and open commercial cooperation models for mass-produced forklift AGVs, including “channel agency, strategic cooperation with integrators, and ecological partnership.” Its service advantages are localized, with six major offices and subsidiaries nationwide, including Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Zhengzhou, Jinan, and Chengdu.
It comprehensively upgraded the hardware and software technology of the AGV product matrix, focusing on full-process quality control at the hardware level, optimizing the supply chain system, and designing environmentally friendly structures. On the software side, it emphasized rapid deployment, replicability, and customizable adaptability, creating a new image and providing users with a brand-new experience.
Picture of Gen-song Forklifter Robot in operation
Inform Storage Equipment
Inform Storage, founded in 1997, initially focused on the research and production of high-precision racks. Later, in response to changing market demands and its own development needs, Inform Storage expanded from traditional rack products to automated equipment.
Currently, Inform Storage has evolved into an intelligent warehousing equipment supplier with a three-in-one business layout, including “High-Precision Rack Business (Core Business) + Integration Business (Strategic Business) + Service Business (Emerging Business).”
In terms of product offerings, Inform Storage has established large-scale production capabilities for three types of products: racks, shuttle cars, and stacker cranes. They possess advanced technologies such as automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems, four-way shuttle car technology, multi-level shuttle car technology, ground light-duty AGV technology, ground heavy-duty AGV technology, goods-to-person picking systems, Warehouse Management System (WMS) software, Warehouse Control System (WCS) software, as well as innovations like rotating rack systems and light-duty four-way shuttle cars, and heavy-duty four-way shuttle cars.
As an integral part of its integration business, Inform Storage has gradually placed greater emphasis on its AGV product line in recent years. In terms of specific products, Inform Storage has introduced its independently developed logistics AGV equipment, including box-type transport AGVs, multi-level picking AGVs, and climbing AGVs known as “Spiders.” These products are mainly used in conjunction with their integration services.
Damon Technology
Damon Technology, founded in 2001, is a leading provider of intelligent logistics system solutions and key equipment in China. Their products include systems, key equipment, and core components for logistics sorting centers.
Damon Technology believes that AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) plays an indispensable role in modern automated warehouses. AGVs not only enable powerful functions such as automated transport, control, and sorting but can also be integrated with intelligent software platforms to achieve automation and flexibility in warehouse logistics. As a technology innovation company covering the entire industry chain of intelligent logistics equipment, Damon Technology is actively working to build the next generation of automated warehousing technology.
In 2020, Damon Technology launched a new AGV series, including AU (Vision-guided transport forklift AGV) and PT (Vision-guided transport forklift AGV). Since then, Damon Technology has been progressively advancing in the research and application of AGV technology.
Sanfeng Intelligent
Sanfeng Intelligent, established in 1999 and listed in 2011, is positioned as an integrated supplier of intelligent manufacturing system solutions. The company is primarily engaged in the research and development, design, production, sales, installation, commissioning, and maintenance services of intelligent equipment.
In 2012, Sanfeng Intelligent established Sanfeng Robotics, specializing in the research and development of AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles). The company has drawn on and absorbed advanced foreign technologies, combined with independent research and development, to master the core technologies of AGV products, including single-vehicle control technology and multi-vehicle upper-level scheduling technology. Their product portfolio includes various types of AGVs, such as towing and transport AGVs, lurking transport AGVs, lifting assembly AGVs, transfer conveyor AGVs, and concealed load-bearing AGVs.
In terms of industry focus, Sanfeng Robotics primarily serves industries such as automotive, construction machinery, transformer manufacturing, and electronics. They have completed over 300 successful projects to date. Their core competitive products include automotive underbody assembly AGVs, general assembly logistics AGVs, heavy-duty AGVs for construction machinery, and intelligent workstation AGVs. Some of their major customers include well-known domestic enterprises like FAW Group, SAIC Group, BAIC Group, Changan Group, Great Wall Motor, GAC Trumpchi, Geely Auto, Chery Auto, Jiangling Motors, JAC Motors, Leopard Auto, Zotye Auto, Yuchai Group, Cummins, Xinjiang Special Transformer, Weiwei Soymilk, Kelly Air Conditioning, Sany Heavy Industry, LiuGong Machinery, and more.
Picture of Sanfeng Intelligent’s heavy-duty AGV in operation
Enotek
Enotek (formerly Eoslift) was founded in 2008, initially specializing in the manufacture of light and small forklift machinery. In 2013, the company transformed into a solution provider and became an innovative technology company capable of offering end-to-end industrial intelligent logistics solutions encompassing “equipment + software + systems + platform services” for customers. Its core businesses include intelligent storage systems, intelligent handling systems, intelligent picking systems, and intelligent sorting systems.
In terms of mobile robot products, within the framework of the “Smart Brain,” Enotek has self-developed and manufactured various types of AGVs, ranging from forklift-style AGVs to backpack-style roller AGVs and balanced-weight AGVs. This diverse range of AGVs caters to different industries and requirements, serving as a critical foundation for the implementation of “end-to-end industrial intelligent logistics solutions.”
Simultaneously, Enotek remains committed to its core innovative philosophy and continuously expands its research and development efforts, breaking through barriers. In the current year, Enotek has introduced two AGV models: the towing-type AGV EA-Q50 and the balanced-weight AGV EA-D15. Both models are equipped with technologies such as SLAM laser navigation and laser obstacle avoidance, enhancing positioning accuracy and stability. These AGVs find versatile applications in raw material transportation, pallet transportation, finished product transportation, assembly processes, and special scenario transportation, among others.
Enotek AGV Product Concept Illustration
Galaxis Technology
Galaxis Technology, founded in 2014, is dedicated to providing advanced robotics and intelligent equipment products, as well as end-to-end integrated technical services in the fields of smart logistics and intelligent manufacturing.
Initially, Galaxis entered the market with the FWS Four-Way Shuttle, an innovative logistics robot product that has established Galaxis as a leader in the field of intelligent box-type access solutions.
From its inception, Galaxis has also been attentive to AGV/AMR products, recognizing their crucial role in overall logistics systems.
In 2020, Galaxis, leveraging its accumulated scenario experience in warehousing and logistics, as well as the technical advantages of the Galaxis Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, established a dedicated AMR team. This move aimed to continuously innovate and enrich AGV/AMR products, empowering them with artificial intelligence technology.
Currently, Galaxis offers a range of AMR products, including the Flexi Mover Lift-and-Carry Series, Free Roller Roller Conveyor Series, and Free Shuttle Lift-and-Carry Series. These products are primarily used in conjunction with Galaxis pallet shuttle and tote shuttle systems. Additionally, Galaxis customizes automation lines and logistics projects according to customer pain points and needs, integrating them with customer production management systems.
To meet real-world application requirements, Galaxis continues to improve its mobile robot offerings. In 2022, Galaxis Technology introduced “Nezha,” a triple-pallet box robot capable of simultaneously accessing three containers, known for its speed and efficiency. The same year, Galaxis Technology also innovatively launched the PTR Side-Fork Mobile Robot, with a minimum aisle width of only 1.65 meters, making it one of the narrowest mobile robots on the market for pallet stacking and retrieval.
Lead Intelligent
Lead Intelligent, established in 2002, is a provider of high-end intelligent equipment for the new energy sector, specializing in research, development, production, and sales.
Lead Intelligent primarily focuses its business on the lithium-ion battery and photovoltaic industries, with its AGV/AMR solutions tailored to the new energy and photovoltaic sectors. In the lithium-ion battery industry, Lead Intelligent has developed omnidirectional cantilever AGVs capable of coil transport and automatic docking for intermediate processes. In the photovoltaic field, Lead Intelligent has created AGVs for the transport of photovoltaic cells, based on laser SLAM navigation, to replace manual handling for basket transport.
Currently, Lead Intelligent’s series of AGV/AMR solutions have found extensive applications in the new energy sector.
Noblelift Intelligent
Noblelift, founded in 2000, currently owns multiple subsidiary companies, with its core business encompassing material handling, intelligent warehousing logistics, and intelligent manufacturing systems. This includes a range of industrial vehicles from manual handling carts to various types of fully electric industrial vehicles.
In 2015, Noblelift Group established Shanghai Noblelift Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., specializing in the development of industrial logistics robots (AGVs) and smart logistics integrated solutions. Leveraging Noblelift Group’s strong capabilities in industrial vehicle design and manufacturing, the company has successfully developed various types of logistics robots (AGVs) and intelligent logistics software, which have been widely adopted by well-known enterprises across various industries.
In 2022, Noblelift Intelligent achieved significant growth in key performance indicators, including product deliveries, project acceptances, and contract signings. This includes an annual production of over 200 AGVs and contract signings exceeding one billion RMB.
In addition to the above-mentioned companies, other logistics integrators such as BlueSword Intelligent, SunLi Intelligent, ZhongDing Integration, OMH Science, Beiqiyuan, and Beizisuo are also expanding into the AGV/AMR field. As core equipment in intelligent logistics systems, AGV/AMR is expected to play an even more significant role in the future of smart logistics.
