An autonomous pallet truck, also called a pallet robot, robotic pallet truck or pallet AMR, is a driverless handling truck that transports pallets autonomously. Guided by LiDAR and cameras (SLAM navigation), it locates the pallet, moves it and sets it down on its own, with no wire or floor markings, receiving its missions via the WMS.
An entry page to the full guide
The autonomous pallet truck is Easy to Carry's core term: it deserves fuller treatment than a simple glossary entry. This page therefore sticks to the essential definition; to understand everything, how LiDAR and SLAM work, the differences from the wire-guided AGV and the conventional electric pallet truck, use cases (dock, milk-run, inter-floor transfer), an overview of 2026 models, price ranges and regulatory landmarks (EN ISO 3691-4, CACES), head to the full guide to the autonomous pallet truck.
In short, what sets the autonomous pallet truck apart from the two other pallet-truck families: it needs neither an operator (unlike the manual and electric versions) nor guidance infrastructure such as a buried wire or wall reflectors (unlike a conventional AGV). It maps the site through software and adjusts its route in real time around obstacles, which makes it possible to change flows without construction work.
FAQ
What is the difference between an autonomous pallet truck and an AGV?
The AGV follows a path set by physical infrastructure (buried wire, rails, reflectors) that has to be installed and changed every time flows evolve. The autonomous pallet truck (AMR) calculates its own route using LiDAR and cameras, with no floor infrastructure at all.
Is a CACES certificate required to operate an autonomous pallet truck?
CACES R489 targets ride-on trucks, which does not apply to a robot with no operator. For AMRs, the technical reference is the EN ISO 3691-4 standard; validation with Carsat or INRS is still recommended depending on the site's configuration.
How much does an autonomous pallet truck cost?
Observed market price ranges run from €30,000 to €150,000 excluding integration, depending on the model and features. The details of pricing, ROI and available models are covered in the full guide to the autonomous pallet truck.
Related terms
Pallet truck · Pallet truck electric · AGV · AMR · SLAM · LiDAR · RaaS · CACES.
See also: full guide to the autonomous pallet truck, price of an autonomous pallet truck, AGV vs AMR.
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