Idealworks, Jungheinrich, Libiao Robotics, Nomagic, The Mobile Robot Company, and Wiltsche Fördersysteme have won an IFOY AWARD 2026. Germany-based Pyck has been named IFOY Start-up of the Year 2026.
The best innovations in intralogistics have been selected: In Stuttgart, the winners of the IFOY AWARD 2026 from five countries were honored in front of around 150 guests from industry, academia, politics, and the media.
A first in the 14-year history of the international innovation award occurred in the Robot Warehouse System category, where a tie in the jury voting resulted in a shared victory for Libiao Robotics and Nomagic. Additional IFOY AWARDs were presented to Idealworks, Jungheinrich, The Mobile Robot Company, and Wiltsche Fördersysteme. Germany-based Pyck was named IFOY Start-up of the Year 2026.
The International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD is regarded as one of the world’s leading technology awards in intralogistics. A total of 49 products and solutions were entered into the competition. Seventeen products and solutions qualified for the finals and underwent the multi-stage IFOY Audit during TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS in April.
“Artificial intelligence is the defining technology of our time, and it was the dominant theme of this year’s IFOY AWARD competition. During the audit process, the finalists demonstrated impressively what can already be achieved in real-world operations using AI. The final decision was a nail-biter, full of surprises, in an exceptionally strong field of competitors,” said Anita Würmser, Executive Chairperson of the IFOY Jury, in Stuttgart.
Jungheinrich claimed victory in the premier IFOY category, Integrated Customer Solutions, in a photo-finish decision. Jungheinrich impressed the jury with an AI-powered warehouse management solution developed for Liebherr’s new central spare parts distribution center in Ehingen, Germany.
The system orchestrates all warehouse and shipping processes on a single platform – from the high-bay pallet warehouse with 18,000 storage locations and the shuttle system for small parts with 40,000 tote locations to nine manual storage areas. Using self-learning algorithms, the solution determines the optimal timing for order picking and retrieval operations and dynamically adapts workflows to changing priorities and shipping windows. This ensures the reliable global supply of spare parts for cranes.
The jury particularly recognized the solution’s consistent use of artificial intelligence to automate decision-making rather than individual process steps. According to the jury, the project demonstrates impressively how data-driven control can increase the efficiency of complex logistics systems. Its high forecasting accuracy, significant reduction in manual intervention, and proven operational improvements make it an outstanding example of intelligent intralogistics.
The finalists in the Warehouse Robot Systems category delivered one of the closest contests in IFOY history. Following a tie in the jury voting (ex aequo), the IFOY AWARD was presented to two winners in the same category for the first time ever: China’s Libiao Robotics and Poland’s Nomagic.
Libiao Robotics impressed the jury with AirRob PRO, an innovative automation solution that combines robotics, conveying technology and storage into a single, easily deployable system. Equipped with a swiveling picking arm, the climbing warehouse robot can retrieve and place totes and cartons on both sides of a storage aisle, significantly increasing throughput and flexibility. The solution can be integrated into existing racking structures, reducing both investment costs and implementation time.
The jury particularly praised the solution’s practical applicability, scalability and clear customer benefits. It highlighted the intelligent combination of transport and picking functions, the innovative gripper technology and the ability to efficiently automate existing warehouse infrastructures. According to the jury, AirRob PRO sets new benchmarks for flexible warehouse automation and ranks among the most innovative robotics solutions in this year’s competition.
Nomagic won over the jury with its Shoebox Picker, a groundbreaking robotics solution for the automated handling of shoeboxes in e-commerce operations. For the first time, the system can reliably pick and move unsealed shoeboxes of varying sizes, shapes and orientations. The Shoebox Picker is part of a robotic picking system equipped with multiple grippers that are automatically exchanged depending on the product being handled. Supported by an AI-based perception system, the solution independently identifies items and precisely controls the picking process. This enables the automation of previously manual picking and sorting operations while significantly improving efficiency.
The jury particularly recognized Nomagic for solving a long-standing automation challenge in fashion logistics. The combination of intelligent vision technology, innovative gripper design and high process reliability opens new opportunities for economically viable automation in e-commerce fulfillment. In the jury’s view, the Shoebox Picker has the potential to become a true game changer – the long-sought “holy grail” of shoebox automation.
The Intralogistics Software category once again ranked among the most competitive contests of the year. Idealworks impressed the jury with its Idealworks Orchestration System (OS), a cloud-based platform designed to centrally manage and connect a wide range of vehicles, systems and devices across intralogistics operations. Its open, vendor-independent architecture enables the seamless integration of AMRs, AGVs and manual vehicles, while also connecting sensors, gates, warehouse management systems (WMS) and ERP systems. Real-time analytics, simulations and digital twins provide full transparency and support the continuous optimization of material flow processes.
The jury particularly recognized the platform’s consistently open architecture and its ability to centrally orchestrate heterogeneous fleets from different manufacturers. According to the jury, the solution addresses one of the key challenges facing modern intralogistics and provides the foundation for flexible, scalable and future-proof automation. The decisive factors behind the win were its outstanding practical value, exceptional interoperability and strong long-term potential.
The title Industrial Truck of the Year went to Denmark’s The Mobile Robot Company for its J1600 self-driving pallet jack. With a load capacity of 1.6 tons, the pallet truck can be operated like a conventional electric pallet jack or navigate autonomously through warehouse and production environments using 3D LiDAR technology. Its intuitive operation and straightforward integration make automation accessible and economically viable, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The jury was particularly impressed by the innovative dual-mode concept, which provides users with maximum flexibility. According to the jury, the J1600 successfully combines advanced robotics with a low barrier to entry, enabling measurable productivity gains with minimal implementation effort. Thanks to its outstanding practicality, the vehicle sets new standards for accessible mobile automation.
After a neck-and-neck race in the Special of the Year category, Wiltsche Fördersysteme crossed the finish line with Destuff-it, a mobile container-unloading system from Canada. The battery-powered solution assists workers in loading and unloading parcels weighing up to 74 kilograms (163 lbs). An adjustable conveyor extends directly to the cargo, largely eliminating the need for heavy lifting, twisting and reaching movements. Thanks to its battery-powered design, the system can be easily moved from dock door to dock door, significantly increasing throughput while virtually eliminating workplace injuries.
The jury particularly recognized the solution’s outstanding practical value. According to the jury, Destuff-it addresses one of the logistics industry’s most pressing challenges – the physical strain placed on employees. As a robust and cost-effective solution, the system bridges the gap between manual unloading processes and the fully automated solutions that are not yet available for this segment.
Four young companies with disruptive potential competed for the IFOY Spin-off Award Start-up of the Year. The winner was Pyck from Germany with its Open-Source Toolkit for Warehousing Software.
The start-up has developed a toolkit that uses artificial intelligence to model warehouse processes and automatically generate software from them. Unlike conventional warehouse management systems, Pyck does not impose predefined workflows. Instead, logistics experts can flexibly design, customize and expand processes, data models and user interfaces themselves. Through its open-source approach, users also retain full control over their data and avoid dependency on individual software vendors.
The jury particularly recognized the solution’s revolutionary approach. According to the jury, Pyck offers a compelling alternative to traditional, often rigid WMS platforms and gives companies unprecedented freedom in designing and adapting their processes. Its exceptional flexibility, future-proof architecture and potential to fundamentally reshape the warehouse management software market ultimately secured the victory.
Tags:
IDEALworks, IFOY, IFOY Award, Jungheinrich, Nomagic, Pyck, The Mobile Robot Company, Wiltsche Fördersysteme
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