Narrow-Aisle Autonomous Forklift for Old Warehouses: Reeman’s Space-Limited Factory Solution

 Many warehouses built years ago were never designed for automation. Narrow aisles, irregular layouts, shifting storage zones, multiple turning points, and uneven floors often make traditional automated equipment unusable. Many factory owners assume, “Our warehouse is too old for an autonomous forklift.” In reality, these older, space-limited warehouses are the environments where the Reeman narrow-aisle autonomous forklift performs best.

The biggest challenge in old warehouses is limited space. Aisles are often only 1.1 meters wide—barely enough for manual forklifts to pass, and certainly not suitable for traditional automated forklifts that typically require 1.5 meters or more. This leads companies to believe automation requires rebuilding the facility or widening aisles. The Reeman narrow-aisle autonomous forklift completely overturns that assumption.

With its ability to navigate 1.1-meter aisles and operate within a 1.3-meter turning radius, the narrow-aisle autonomous forklift can run directly inside existing aisle structures without cutting floors, adjusting shelves, or installing magnetic strips. Its 1-ton load capacity and 1-meter lift height cover nearly all material-handling needs within older warehouses, reducing the frequent in-and-out movement of manual forklifts.

Another defining feature of older warehouses is complex travel paths. Pallets may be misaligned, shelves may be uneven, and obstacles may appear at any moment. The Reeman narrow-aisle autonomous forklift uses a vision-fusion navigation system that perceives dynamic changes in real time and automatically reroutes around obstacles. Unlike traditional AGVs that stop when a single path is blocked, the system ensures smooth traversal through narrow corners, column gaps, and tight shelf areas, minimizing collision risk.

Older warehouses also tend to lack digital systems. However, the Reeman autonomous forklift integrates easily with existing processes—manual calls, scanning tasks, and fixed-point deliveries—without requiring full digital transformation from day one. Companies can start with “single-point automation” and scale to “full-warehouse automation” step by step, lowering the cost and complexity of transformation.

Reeman also provides end-to-end implementation support, including simulation, planning, route optimization, and on-site commissioning. Even in irregular or highly constrained facilities, digital modeling calculates optimal routes and operational rhythms, allowing warehouse managers to visualize expected performance before deployment rather than relying on guesswork.

For warehouses that have remained unchanged for years, where manual handling is costly and safety risks are high, the narrow-aisle autonomous forklift is not simply a replacement—it is a lifeline. It transforms chaotic, unpredictable logistics environments into organized, efficient, and stable operations, delivering “new efficiency for old warehouses.”

Article Source: Reeman