IFOY Audit
Finalists undergo the three-stage IFOY Audit as part of the IFOY Audit, which takes place during the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS. This consists of the scientific IFOY Innovation Check, the IFOY Test and the jury test.
X MOVER EXP15
EP Equipment Germany
The EXP15 from the X Mover series takes a standard pallet truck to the next level with EP Equipment’s lithium-ion plug-in technology and the new automatic drive function. The EPX is not an autonomous pallet truck, but an automatic pallet truck – fully programmed with just a few buttons. To automate operation, all you need to do is pick up the pallet as you would with a standard pallet truck and then simply press a button. EXP automatically moves in a circle or sets pallets down and returns empty for the next round. Price: 12,000 EUR.
Product name and company
X MOVER EXP15 – EP Equipment Germany
Category
Warehouse Truck „lowlifter“
Description
The world’s first automatic pallet truck EXP15 represents a revolution in warehouse automation. EXP15 embodies the principle of “Innovation through Simplicity”, offering a touch-and-go solution that eliminates complexity from material handling operations. As business evolves, the EXP15 evolves along – making it the perfect partner for anyone.
The EXP is designed to manually handle loads with the function of eliminating “A to B” transport work for the warehouse team with automatic transport.
With the eventual goal to replace electric pallet trucks with automatic the EXP is available at an affordable price to take on workload from inbound to warehouse, within the warehouse, from warehouse to production and within the production facilities.
The EXP is a durable time saver for mundane and time-consuming transportation tasks, transforming operations and increasing productivity by allowing one employee to operate multiple pallet trucks simultaneously. This allows employees to focus on value-adding tasks while EXP takes care of transportation operations.
Available with any fork dimensions in length, width and height, including the option to handle extreme low pallets (Ikea pallets). Standard with plug in lithium battery (60ah, enough for one shift).
Innovations
The X-Mover product family offers a completely new breakthrough in pallet truck usage. Focusing on market changing technology that solves ongoing pain points for companies and operators.
Innovation from EXP stem from its transformative technology that develop on standardized and well used equipment. The main innovation compared to a standard pallet truck is that the truck can drive automatically. The main innovation compared to autonomous pallet trucks is the simplicity and low cost.
The EP Equipment X-Mover family consists of 4 levels to provide options for the intergration of smart pallet trucks to all levels of business:
- EXP: Entry level automatic pallet truck. Set up with record-and -run buttons.
- XP: Automatic pallet truck with multiple tasks (Set up via app, controlled by keypad).
- XPf: Automatic pallet truck with machine to machine communication (set up by app, control by keypad, M2M communication by Zigbee) (palletizer, wrapper, doors, lift, etc.).
- XPi: Automatic pallet truck with integration interface module. (set up by app, control by lightweight server over Wifi). This way, the XP can also receive task instructions in a VDA5050 environment.
This X-Mover kit can be put on any standard EP Equipment warehouse truck allowing for flexibility and accessibility.
Market relevance
In 2012 EP Equipment introduced the 15ET entry level electric pallet truck. This model brought users from manual equipment to electric equipment. It created the new market segment of class 3.1 light electric pallet trucks. Today this world market for electric pallet trucks currently is almost one million units.
Now the market must face the next level of innovation. The next step is to change these electric pallet trucks to automatic pallet trucks. The target market for EXP is broad as this tool can transports pallets, carts or frames repetitively and / or over longer distance. EXP can be the next employee for the majority of production and logistics companies globally.
With labour saving benefits at low cost markets suffering in the existing labour crisis can utilise their existing workforce to enhance daily operations with the introduction of EXP.
Customer benefits
Simplicitiy: One worker. Five minutes. Five buttons. That’s all it takes to master the EXP15. EXP15 puts the power of automation in everyone’s hands. Any worker can confidently operate it, no special training or robotics expertise needed.
Simple setup: The simple setup of the EXP frees users from IT constraints. No Wi-Fi connection, no complex IT system and no specialized technicians are required – just place reflectors at the start and end points for paths up to 50 meters and you’re ready to go. EXP15’s touch-and-go solution makes automation accessible to everyone.
Labor-saving hero: Every company is currently struggling with a shortage of labor, especially in warehouses and production.
The solution is to use existing staff for value- added tasks while transport orders are automated. Lift trucks and employees work together as a team and each employee operates several lift trucks simultaneously. The more efficient use of personnel increases productivity in the warehouse.
Safety improvements: The EXP15 focuses on safety without compromise. It has been designed to meet all safety standards for electric pallet trucks and robots, with a redundant laser protection system – both upwards and downwards – to ensure comprehensive coverage and prevent collisions. Automated transportation ‘calms’ the warehouse, reducing overall traffic and allowing employees to remain at designated workstations while intelligent pallet trucks navigate the aisle.
Other information
| This is a | Completely new model |
| Date of market launch | 01/01/2025 |
| Competitive products | |
| Special equipment IFOY test device |
Technical data
| Drive type | Electric |
| Lifting weight max. | 1500 kg |
| Truck weight | 180 kg |
| Driving speed without load | 4,5 km/h |
| Lifting speed without load | 0,027 m/s |
| Lifting height max. | 172 mm |
Test report
The EXP15 from EP Equipment’s X-Mover series takes the standard electric pallet truck to the next level. With a purchase price of only €12,000, automated horizontal in-house transport is moving one step closer to practical implementation.
The Chinese manufacturer has equipped this newcomer with its own plug-in lithium battery technology and a new automatic driving function. However, the 1.5-ton pallet truck is not fully autonomous. As EP emphasizes, it is an automated, not autonomous, pallet truck.
Automation is remarkably simple: One employee, five minutes, six buttons – that’s all it takes to automate horizontal transport from A to B. No special training or robotics knowledge is required. With just a few button presses, any employee can “program” the pallet truck.
The EXP15 operates similarly to a cassette recorder. After picking up the pallet, the operator presses the record button and manually moves the pallet along the desired route to the designated positions. If the direction changes, this is indicated via one of the buttons. The same applies to placing the pallet. The available options light up, and a computer voice confirms executed commands. Once the task is complete, the recording is stopped – and automation is complete. After returning to the starting point, the operator picks up the next pallet, moves the truck into position, and presses “Play”.
The EXP15 does not require a Wi-Fi connection or a complex IT system. Navigation is achieved with reflectors and a camera system that continuously detects the position relative to the reflectors. For a straight route of up to 50 meters, reflectors at the start and endpoint are sufficient. Longer or curved routes require additional reflectors. Seven reflector stickers are needed per action point, such as direction changes or start/stop commands.
The EXP15 meets all safety standards for electric pallet trucks and robots, including Lidar protection above and below. Sensors in the chassis and under the fork tips ensure safe operation. If the device detects an obstacle, it slows down in a controlled manner. Once the obstacle is removed (or a pedestrian has passed), it automatically resumes travel.
The automated pallet truck is available with variable fork lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Even particularly low pallets (e.g., Ikea formats) can be processed automatically.
The standard plug-in lithium battery (60 Ah) is sufficient for a full shift and can be easily replaced manually.
IFOY Verdict
The EXP15 takes the standard electric pallet truck to a new level. The most important innovation compared to a standard pallet truck is that the truck moves automatically. Time-consuming, repetitive transportation from A to B no longer has to be carried out manually. In comparison to autonomous pallet trucks, the model impresses with its ease of use and attractive purchase price.
IFOY Innovation Check
Functionality / Type of implementation
The X Mover EXP15 excels at what it was designed to do – and does so in the simplest and most pragmatic way. Thanks to its intuitive operation in manual mode and during the learning phase of a work cycle, no extensive training or long adaptation period is required for the operator. At first glance, the high performance of the automated mode is not immediately apparent, as the additional components are barely noticeable and do not restrict manual standard operation. The mechanical components appear to be robustly designed, and the plug-in lithium-ion battery concept is thoroughly convincing. Overall, the implementation is impressively solid and highly functional.
Novelty / Innovation
The innovation of the EXP15 does not lie in minor refinements of small details but in its groundbreaking simplicity of operation, combined with remarkably high performance in automated mode. The focus is clearly on simplifying all functions of the device. With its cost-effective vehicle navigation solution and easy operation, the EXP15 significantly lowers the barrier to entry for partial automation of transport processes for the first time. The “Record and Run” function is so simple that anyone can use it. The true innovation lies in the deliberate restriction to only the necessary components while maximizing functionality.
Customer benefit
The low entry barriers for automating transport tasks make the EXP15 highly beneficial to customers across various industries. It addresses an urgent need in the industrial sector by enabling effortless automation for a wide range of applications. Depending on the specific use case – where, for example, timely further processing of pallets at the destination is ensured – the EXP15 fully demonstrates its advantages. For sufficiently long transport distances, handling and transport processes can be carried out with fewer employees. As a result, the EXP15 is particularly valuable for companies struggling with labor shortages.
Market relevance
Pallet handling and internal transport represent a vast application field, giving the EXP15 significant market relevance. Cost pressure and the shortage of skilled labor are driving demand for high-performance yet cost-effective solutions. The EXP15 stands out with its unbeatable price-performance ratio, making it an obvious choice as a primary alternative for new investments, replacements, and entry into automated operations.
IFOY verdict
“Thinking simply” leads to innovation – by intelligently combining well-established technologies, a highly functional solution has been created that requires no advanced technical expertise to operate. The EXP15 is a compelling product in every respect and is a well-deserved finalist for the IFOY AWARD.
| Functionality / type of implementation | ++ |
| Novelty / Innovation | ++ |
| Customer benefits | + |
| Market relevance | + |
| ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available | |
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Image/video credits: EP Equipment Germany
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Committees
The International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year has three bodies: Jury, sponsors, and advisory board.