Manual and Autonomous Modes
The J1600 is a dual-mode vehicle: one machine that works both as a conventional walk-behind electric pallet jack and as a self-driving robot. Understanding the two modes and the handover between them is the core of operating it. For the concept behind the design, see Dual mode and Human-in-the-loop automation.
Manual mode
In manual mode a person controls the tiller and lift functions like a conventional electric pallet jack:
- pallet picks and drops at heights up to 1,600 mm (63 in);
- full payload of 1,600 kg;
- nuanced pickup, difficult approaches, sensitive or unstable loads, congestion, and exceptions;
- gradeability of 5% unloaded and 3% at full load — slopes and dock plates are manual work.
White lights indicate manual mode. See Manual Operation for the full guide.
Autonomous mode
In automatic mode the J1600 drives itself to a saved destination at up to 5.4 km/h, avoids obstacles, drops the pallet at floor level, and then returns, parks, continues, or waits according to the task:
- autonomous driving is indoor and level-floor only (0% gradeability);
- blue floor-light strips display the protected area, which expands with speed;
- a 360-degree safety field covers forward and reverse travel.
See Autonomous Operation for the full guide.
The key switch
A three-position key switch selects the operating state:
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Power off | Vehicle powered down |
| Manual | Manual-only operation |
| Automatic | Autonomous task execution permitted |
Handover: entering autonomous mode
The operator — never the robot — initiates autonomous work:
- Create or select a task on the touchscreen and execute it.
- The robot asks for confirmation to enter automatic mode.
- Confirm with the physical LED start/resume button.
- The interface instructs you to step clear; the robot starts only after confirmation.
Takeover: returning to manual control
Manual control is always immediately available:
- grabbing or moving the tiller returns the vehicle to manual control;
- tiller-position switches handle emergency stop and manual control;
- three emergency-stop buttons and a belly button (stop and reverse) provide hard stops.
Immediate human takeover is central to the product concept — human judgment is treated as part of the system, not as a failure mode.
Capability ladder
| Level | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Manual functions | Pallet pick and drop up to 1.6 m; full manual tiller control |
| Basic automation | Start automatic tasks on-screen; save locations; floor-level pallet drop; self-drive to saved locations; return-to-me; go-to-parking |
| Advanced automation | Come-to-me; automatic charging; VDA 5050 fleet manager; API integrations |
The ladder describes machine capabilities; it is separate from the Standard and Advanced software packages described in the J1600 User Manual.