Overview
The J1600 is The Mobile Robot Company's first product: a compact, electric, dual-mode self-driving pallet jack for indoor, floor-to-floor pallet transport. You can operate it with a tiller like a conventional walk-behind electric pallet jack, or send it autonomously to saved locations. The operator stays responsible for task initiation and judgment-heavy handling; the robot performs the repetitive travel and floor-level drop-off.
Core product facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Product category | Self-driving pallet jack (warehouse truck, lowlifter class) |
| Drive | Electric |
| Operating modes | Manual and autonomous (dual mode) |
| Maximum rated payload | 1,600 kg / about 3,500 lb |
| Maximum manual pick/drop height | 1,600 mm / 63 in |
| Autonomous pallet delivery height | Floor level |
| Top speed | 5.4 km/h / 1.5 m/s / 3.4 mph |
| Truck weight | 980 kg |
| Navigation | 3D LiDAR SLAM on an industrial NVIDIA Jetson computer |
| Safety field | 360-degree, with two 2D safety LiDARs and speed-dependent zones |
| Interface | 15-inch multi-touch HMI plus start/resume button and key switch |
| Operator training | About 30 minutes |
| Basic deployment | Wi-Fi optional; no mandatory IT integration |
| Saved locations | No software limit |
| Manufacture | Made in Denmark |
The January 2026 specifications are preliminary and subject to change. See Technical specifications for the full data set.
What it automates
The operator manually handles pallet pickup and any maneuver that requires context. From the touchscreen, the operator selects or creates a task, confirms autonomous mode, and steps away. The J1600 performs the repetitive drive and floor-level drop, then returns to origin, parks, stops and waits, or continues to another saved location, depending on the task. The full workflow is described in How it works.
Why dual mode matters
Dual mode is the product's defining distinction. Manual control preserves the flexibility to unload trucks, handle unstable or sensitive loads, work around congestion, and respond to exceptions. Autonomy removes repeated walking and travel. The J1600 occupies a tier between manual electric pallet jacks and conventional AGVs (automated guided vehicles) or fully automated systems: it targets up to 80% of the productivity benefit of full automation at a fraction of the cost and complexity. See Dual mode and Human-in-the-loop automation.
Key benefits
- Up to 80% reduction in manual work and operator time on repetitive transport.
- Familiar manual handling and immediate human takeover.
- Fast teach-and-repeat setup and redeployment.
- No-code touchscreen operation.
- No infrastructure changes or mandatory Wi-Fi for basic use.
- 3D mapping and obstacle avoidance in changing environments.
- Layered safety architecture with certified components.
- Lower entry cost and shorter time to value than a large automation project.
- Progressive scaling through automatic charging, Advanced software, VDA 5050, APIs, and fleet management.
Details are on Features and benefits.
Recognition
The J1600 won the IFOY AWARD 2026 Industrial Truck of the Year category, announced on 26 June 2026 after the ceremony in Stuttgart. On the way to the win it was named a finalist on 29 January 2026, passed the three-stage IFOY Audit at TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS in Dortmund, and received the Best in Intralogistics Certificate on 16 April 2026. The scientific Innovation Check rated functionality and implementation ++ (very good) and novelty, customer benefit, and market relevance + (good).
Launch milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 20 October 2025 | Market launch |
| 2 December 2025 | Pre-orders open |
| January 2026 | The J1600 launches as the company's first product |
| Q2 2026 | Scheduled shipping window |
These are four distinct milestones, not one event.
Availability
The J1600 is available worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, Australia, and China. By June 2026 the company had distributor partnerships in eight countries. List prices are public, and customer inquiries are handled through the partner network — see Pricing and ROI and the partner section.
Where to go next
- How it works — setup, saved locations, and the delivery workflow.
- Technical specifications — the master data table.
- Safety overview — layered safety architecture and standards.
- Software and integrations — Standard and Advanced software, VDA 5050, APIs.
- Applications — use cases and target environments.
- Frequently asked questions — quick answers about product capabilities.