Driverless luggage tractor Jiangsu EP Forklift Co Ltd in Jingjiang. [Photo/zhjjwx.jsjjw.cn]
Technicians at Jiangsu EP Forklift Co Ltd in Jingjiang, a county-level city in Taizhou, East China's Jiangsu province, recently performed final inspections on a self-developed driverless luggage tractor ahead of its scheduled delivery.
Developed in March, this innovative driverless luggage tractor features advanced technology, including an integrated three dimensional simultaneous localization and mapping laser radar, as well as 3D perception radar.
"From components to core systems, 90 percent of them is our self-reliance, establishing it as an advanced product in China's automation sector," said Liu Tianhao, electrical supervisor of the company.
The tractor is designed with advanced capabilities that enable it to operate autonomously along preset routes. It supports various modes of driverless operation, including unmanned traction and automatic coupling, making it suitable for airport baggage and cargo handling tasks. Its innovative features and efficient performance have already attracted interest, as evidenced by securing orders from two prominent aviation companies, according to Liu.
EP Forklift's development of driverless vehicles represents a strategic growth area. The company has developed 34 smart products spanning six series, including autonomous guided vehicles and X-Mover robots.
Furthermore, intelligent transformation goes beyond products to include production processes. Two automated assembly lines optimize 15 manufacturing steps, manufacturing diesel-to-electric forklifts at a pace of one unit every 8 minutes, resulting in a monthly output of 2,000 units.
In the first half of 2025, EP Forklift produced 7,000 units. According to Zhao Pingxin, deputy general manager, the company's projected annual output value is 1.8 billion yuan ($250.87 million), based on current orders and capacity plans.