TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS in Dortmund with 1,200 Visitors

The fourth edition of the TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS has come to an end with numerous highlights. A total of more than 1,200 participants visited the fully booked test hall at the Messe Dortmund by Thursday evening to test a selection of the best innovations and new developments in intralogistics. Including the finalists of the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) AWARD 2024, test sets featuring over 100 innovations were set up across approximately 10,000 square meters.

(Dortmund) B2B visitors once again had access to a wide range of products and solutions for their internal logistics: from forklifts and automated storage technology devices to mobile robots and logistics software, as well as state-of-the-art specials.

The organizers saw strong demand for spots in the eight guided highlight tours, where exhibitors presented their innovations in three-minute presentations. One of the unique features of this event format is that B2B visitors are guided through highlight tours to all exhibitors. Providers of intralogistics solutions are increasingly utilizing the focused event format to demonstrate their innovations to invited guests from contract logistics, industry, and trade. Numerous delegations from Germany and neighboring countries, such as the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, were also present.

Visitor Magnet Special Test Area “Mobile Robotics”

The new special test area “Mobile Robotics” along with the associated “Mobile Robotics Conference” proved to be a visitor magnet. Participants were particularly interested in best-practice examples from companies such as Dresselhaus and DB Schenker, as well as the forecasts presented by renowned scientists from Fraunhofer IML, the University of Stuttgart, and ETH Zurich.

Visitors also frequented the fourth stress test of the VDA5050 communication interface in the AGV Mesh-Up of the VDMA, as well as the premiere of the “5G MIPS Challenge” by NAiSE. In a test set, the technology company, together with various partners, demonstrated the collaboration between people and robots from different manufacturers without safety barriers and showcased the direction of automation in logistics and production supply.

At the fourth edition of the TEST CAMP, visitors once again had the opportunity to test the finalists of the globally announced IFOY AWARD. New developments from AGILOX, Crown, GLOBE Fuel Cell Systems, HWArobotics, Innok Robotics, Jungheinrich, MEYSENS, RAVAS, SAFELOG, SSI SCHÄFER, and STILL were present. For the spin-off award “IFOY Start-up of the Year,” test setups from BOX ID Systems, Brightpick, CYBRID, and MOCCI were available.

Three-Stage IFOY Audit

The total of 16 devices and solutions from 15 manufacturers underwent the three-stage IFOY audit on-site, consisting of driving and functional tests, including the IFOY test protocol with 80 criteria, a scientific IFOY innovation check, and evaluation by the 26 jurors – trade journalists from all continents.

After completing the IFOY audit, representatives from 15 manufacturers received the “Best in Intralogistics” certificates for their nominees from Jan Drömer, the new chairman of the VDMA specialist association for materials handling and intralogistics. The new head of the Institute for Material Flow Systems at Fraunhofer IML in Dortmund, Prof. Dr. Alice Kirchheim, also made her first public appearance at the TEST CAMP opening.

Who has won an IFOY AWARD 2024 remains under wraps until the award ceremony. The jury’s vote will only be announced by the presenters during the IFOY AWARD Night, which will take place on June 14, 2024, at the Congress Center Baden near Vienna.

Current Topics at the Accompanying Congress

The accompanying congress focused on current trend topics such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, resilience, sustainability, and process cost reduction. Visitors gathered insights in the 18 sessions and panel discussions featuring 32 high-profile experts from Europe, the USA, and China. The thematic sequences revolved around specialized topics such as automation, hydrogen, start-ups, and mobile robotics. Providers of intralogistics solutions, their users, and renowned researchers engaged in intense discussions, making the experiential event a highlight of the industry’s event calendar.

Visitors also engaged in conversations with the scientists, testers, and jurors of the IFOY AWARD, who were involved in the IFOY TEST DAYS (April 8 to 10). For the first time, the organizers offered an excursion as part of the event: two visitor groups toured the automation at Amazon’s logistics center DTM2 in Dortmund.

Photo: © IFOY