Big Joe debuts BUD collaborative robot

Big Joe Forklifts (Booths B3219 & B3419) is previewing several new products, including the company’s vision for a new breed of semi-autonomous machines known as “co-bots,” or collaborative robots, that keep humans in the loop within materials handling workflows to deliver maximum value.

Nicknamed “BUD,” Big Joe’s User Directed Pallet Mover showcases the company’s User Directed Automation concept. It features a simple onboard tablet and Cloud connection to drive autonomously on custom missions once an operator manually loads a pallet and tells it where to go. “Automation as we know it in material handling is about to be turned upside down by products like BUD,” said Bill Pedriana, CMO. 

BUD is available for demonstration at Modex and also later this year through a subscription service costing less than $50 a day in partnership with Vecna Robotics, whose technology powers the system. The Big Joe team will also be showcasing a host of lithium powered lift trucks including the new RPL44 low profile rider pallet truck and PTT60 powered pedestrian tugger.