A compact space marvel that offers maximum visibility

Published the 25/02/2026

Linde Material Handling (MH) launches the new Linde-Xi-Roadster electric forklift truck on the Italian market. The absence of a front mast and dedicated design solutions offer operators a wider, clearer view, with direct benefits in terms of safety and efficiency.

Linde Material Handling, a forklift manufacturer part of the KION Group, presents the new Linde-Xi-Roadster, developed as part of the new generation of electric counterbalanced forklifts. The range is now expanded with seven new models, three- and four-wheeled, with load capacities up to 2 tons, designed to ensure significantly higher levels of visibility than traditional standards.

The heart of the Roadster project is a pillar-less overhead guard, a solution that allows operators an unobstructed view of the front, sides, and top of the truck. This is complemented by additional design elements designed to improve overall visibility, with direct benefits in terms of safety, operational precision, and efficiency during driving and lifting operations.

As Samuele Albertini , Head of Sales and Marketing Support at Linde MH Italia, summarizes, the principle is simple: visibility means safety and safety means productivity.

“ When the operator has full visual control of the route, the surrounding environment, and the load, they can work more focused, precise, and efficient. People and obstacles are identified earlier, and maneuvers are faster and safer, with a direct impact on productivity in the warehouse and production areas ,” explains Albertini.

Visibility, safety and ergonomics as design factors

The new Linde-Xi-Roadster is designed for applications where visibility and ergonomics are crucial. It is particularly suitable for the precise handling and positioning of bulky loads, for racking operations, and for loading and unloading vehicles, where accuracy and control are essential.

The most noticeable improvement comes from the elimination of the front masts, which traditionally limit visibility to the sides of the lift mast. The lowered front panel further improves visibility to the fork tips, while the slimmer rear masts make reversing easier.

To ensure an unobstructed view upwards during stacking and retrieval operations, all roof pillars and cross members have been designed with minimal cross-sections. As an option, the Roadster can be equipped with a panoramic roof made of reinforced glass, which complies with safety regulations and has undergone stringent internal testing to ensure reliable protection against falling objects.

Advanced ergonomics and intuitive control

A further distinctive feature of the new Roadster is Linde Steer Control , which replaces the traditional steering wheel with a mini-steering wheel or joystick integrated into the left-hand armrest.

“ These solutions further improve ergonomics and visibility and integrate perfectly with the Roadster concept, offering a more natural and less tiring driving experience, especially during long shifts ,” underlines Albertini.

A shared technology platform

The Linde Xi14 - Xi20 R (three-wheel) and Linde Xi16 - Xi20 R (four-wheel) models are based on the new Xi platform with integrated lithium-ion batteries. Despite their compact dimensions, they offer a spacious and comfortable working environment, with generous legroom and headroom and a wide step for easy entry and exit.

Both the standard Linde Xi and Roadster versions are equipped with high-performance yet economical synchronous reluctance motors, ensuring maximum performance and a high residual load capacity. The same applies to all available equipment options, such as seat and mast variants, ensuring maximum customization.

Finally, the new series offers many other advantages, such as a vibration isolation system on the drive axle, steering axle and lift mast.

Operational efficiency and sustainability over time

The entire design of the new Xi-Roadster series is focused on reducing operating costs and sustainability. Key components such as the motors and battery are maintenance-free, while vehicle accessibility has been designed to simplify service operations.

One example is the extension of the hydraulic oil and filter change interval to 6,000 operating hours , a value that sets a new benchmark in the industry. This reduces oil consumption, limits waste, and minimizes downtime throughout the entire life cycle of the truck.

About LINDE MH

Linde Material Handling develops high-performance goods handling solutions customized to meet individual customer needs.

Linde MH, in addition to being one of the world's leading manufacturers of forklifts and manual and automated warehouse equipment, offers a wide range of fleet management solutions, driver assistance systems, mobile robots and a wide variety of software solutions, consulting services and technical support.

The Linde MH brand represents maximum performance, achieved through technological innovation, superior standards of ergonomics and operator safety and a wide range of energy options.

In Italy, Linde MH can count on a network of 6 branches, 2 established dealers, 21 dealers and partners, and over 800 specialized service technicians, to respond promptly and effectively to customer needs.

For more information: Linde Material Handling

Other articles that may interest you

Linde mh italia completes the acquisition of tre-p material handling torino, strengthening its prese

The acquisition of Tre-P Carrelli and its subsidiary NTP Operations consolidates Linde Material Handling's presence in Northern Italy, guaranteeing customers even more efficient and widespread services in the provinces of Turin, Vercelli, Cuneo, Biella and the Aosta Valley. Linde Material Handling Italia, the Italian subsidiary of Linde Material Handling, a world leader in the supply of intralogistics solutions, announces the completion of the acquisition of Tre-P Carrelli Srl, a historic dealer based in Turin, and its subsidiary NTP Operations Srl. The operation, initiated with the signing of a preliminary agreement on 4 November 2025, concluded with the acquisition of the shares of Tre-P Material Handling Torino Srl, a newly established company into which the business branches of Tre-P Carrelli Srl and NTP Operations Srl were merged, which takes on the new company name of Linde Material Handling Torino Srl This acquisition represents an important step in the growth and consolidation of the Linde MH brand in the Italian intralogistics market. The transaction is part of the development strategy launched two years ago with the opening of the new branches in Bolzano and Adriatica (in the province of Chieti), aimed at consolidating its direct presence in the region and further enhancing the quality of its services. With this acquisition, the company significantly strengthens its presence in the strategic Piedmont region, including the provinces of Turin, Vercelli, Cuneo, and Biella, as well as the Aosta Valley region, confirming its commitment to providing customers with an increasingly comprehensive, efficient, and structured service. "We are very pleased with this acquisition, which allows us to further consolidate the brand's presence in a key territory for the Italian market. Our customers will benefit from the quality and efficiency of Linde services," comments Luca Esposto, Vice President Sales & Service for Linde MH in Italy. " This transaction reflects our development strategy in Italy, aimed at being ever closer to our customers' needs, with innovative solutions and timely, excellent technical support," he concludes. About LINDE MH Linde Material Handling develops high-performance goods handling solutions customized to meet individual customer needs. Linde MH, in addition to being one of the world's leading manufacturers of forklifts and manual and automated warehouse equipment, offers a wide range of fleet management solutions, driver assistance systems, mobile robots and a wide variety of software solutions, consulting services and technical support. The Linde MH brand represents maximum performance, achieved through technological innovation, superior standards of ergonomics and operator safety and a wide range of energy options. In Italy, Linde MH can count on a network of 9 branches, 24 dealers and partners, and over 800 specialized service technicians, to respond promptly and effectively to customer needs.

14/04/2026 Read more

New still axl 15 igo autonomous electric pallet truck

Presented as a world premiere at LogiMAT 2026, the AXL 15 iGo automates truck loading and unloading STILL, a leading supplier of intralogistics systems and equipment, is presenting a true milestone in intralogistics at LogiMAT 2026: the first production-ready solution on the market for automating truck loading and unloading without the need for fixed safety technology at the loading bay. With the new autonomous AXL 15 iGo electric pallet truck, STILL is closing one of the last major gaps in warehouse automation: the management of incoming and outgoing goods directly at the loading bay. Automation comes to the loading bay The loading bay area is traditionally characterized by tight deadlines, staff shortages, night shifts, and challenging operating conditions, from high summer temperatures to freezing winter temperatures. Furthermore, limited space, variable trailer geometries, and very stringent safety requirements must be addressed. While many companies have long since automated warehouses, internal transport, and handling systems, truck loading and unloading has remained a process considered difficult to automate. “With the AXL 15 iGo, we're filling a historic gap in intralogistics, making automated truck loading and unloading an accessible and easily implementable standard for the first time,” explains Matteo Piantanida, Head of Sales Automation at STILL in Italy. “Our solution makes receiving and shipping goods more efficient, safe, predictable, and reliable. Process standardization enables repeatable workflows, significantly increasing operational stability and transparency. This is a key step in our strategy: to offer scalable automation solutions for every area of intralogistics.” Thirty pallets in thirty-five minutes in an autonomous, flexible and safe way The AXL 15 iGo autonomous pallet truck was specifically developed for automating truck loading and unloading: two vehicles operating in tandem can autonomously load up to 30 EPAL pallets in approximately 35 minutes. Thanks to innovative localization and positioning logic integrated with a new, holistic safety concept, the truck can automatically recognize the trailer's internal configuration and precisely position the pallets. A particularly significant advantage for users is that the AXL 15 iGo does not require any fixed safety systems at the gate, such as scanners or reflectors installed on the bay or in the trailer. This makes the solution highly flexible, quick to implement, and easy to integrate into existing operations. Safety and precision in the tightest spaces To ensure safe handling and precise navigation, the AXL 15 iGo uses two complementary technologies: on the outside of the trailer, it uses Visual SLAM 3D localization technology; on the inside, it uses LiDAR-based localization, which allows for centimeter-level accuracy. The truck also integrates LiDAR safety scanners, camera systems, light and acoustic signals, and 3D pallet detection. A solution for multiple sectors The AXL 15 iGo is particularly suited to sectors with high volumes of pallets and standardized load units, such as 3PL operators, food logistics, retail, and manufacturing companies. With a load capacity of up to 1,500 kg and a speed of up to 2 m/s, the truck can meet a wide range of industrial needs. Integration into automated fleets is scalable via a VDA 5050 interface, a dedicated fleet manager, and open APIs for warehouse management systems (WMS). World premiere at LogiMAT 2026 STILL will present the AXL 15 iGo to the public for the first time at LogiMAT 2026, in Hall 10, Stands B40 and B41. The truck will be available immediately after the trade fair. “Our customers ask us for solutions that can be implemented immediately. That's why we chose to launch the product only once it was ready for rapid market release,” says Piantanida. About STILL Specializing in intralogistics solutions, STILL has a product portfolio that includes forklifts, warehouse technology, connected systems, and services. Founded in 1920 by Hans Still, the company offers customized and customer-optimized solutions, backed by excellent service. STILL's goal is to make intralogistics "intelligent," developing solutions that make warehouse operations smoother and more efficient, protect the health of workers, and simultaneously meet the highest sustainability standards. With this goal, STILL is committed to promoting new solutions for electric mobility, automation, fleet and energy management, as well as circularity, i.e., the consistent conservation and recycling of resources. Headquartered in Hamburg, STILL employs 7,100 people and is present in 89 countries. The Italian organization can count on the most solid and widespread sales and service network in the country, consisting of 10 direct branches, over 50 dealers and partners, 950 service technicians and over 170 sales representatives.

02/04/2026 Read more

Tezmaksan: making automation accessible to every factory

Cobots are changing manufacturing, but the real value comes from seamless integration Cobots have radically redefined expectations for automation, emerging as a direct response to some of the industry's most pressing pressures. Persistent labor shortages, rising production demands, and the physical limitations of traditional factory layouts have made flexibility a priority. Their appeal lies in their combination of simple integration, affordable investment levels, and the ability to operate safely. In this article, Hakan Aydoğdu, CEO of Tezmaksan Robot Technologies, a company specializing in CNC automation, reflects on how collaborative technologies are redefining automation. The latest World Robotics 2025 report highlights the rapid acceleration of this shift towards automation. Industrial robot installations reached 542,076 units in 2024, more than double the figure recorded a decade earlier. This is the fourth consecutive year in which annual installations have surpassed the half-million mark. Asia continues to dominate, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all new installations, while Europe and the Americas account for much smaller shares. These numbers reveal not only the speed of adoption but also the global imbalance in automation readiness. The global automation landscape Recent research by Make UK highlights that approximately 36% of manufacturing vacancies are difficult to fill due to a lack of candidates with the right skills, qualifications, or experience. Collaborative robots are playing an increasingly important role in filling this gap. By taking on repetitive, physically demanding, or high-risk tasks, cobots help manufacturers maintain production levels even in times of labor shortages. Cobots consistently deliver increased productivity and more reliable quality, freeing human workers to focus on complex or value-added tasks. They also help improve workplace well-being by reducing stress and injuries, and their simple programming makes automation achievable without long wait times or extensive training. For many companies, this combination accelerates the path to a measurable return on investment. Navigating the new regulations In the manufacturing sector, cobots are increasingly used to optimize assembly lines and improve operational workflows. Studies indicate that cobots can significantly improve productivity by automating repetitive tasks and allowing human workers to focus on more complex tasks that require cognitive skills. Regulatory frameworks are evolving alongside this technological momentum. The EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230, which replaces the previous Machinery Directive, was adopted in 2023 and will be fully applicable from January 2027. It introduces a more rigorous approach to safety, liability, and cybersecurity for advanced machines and collaborative systems. The new requirements push manufacturers toward clearer accountability and more rigorous compliance processes, signaling that compliance and safer integration will become a key factor in the implementation of automation in the coming years. For engineers, this has direct implications for the design, implementation, and validation of collaborative robotic systems. In logistics environments, cobots are increasingly used for palletizing, order picking, and intralogistics material handling, where integrated vision systems, force sensors, and safety scanners enable close human-robot collaboration without traditional safety cages. In automotive manufacturing, cobots support precision assembly, screwdriving, quality control, and machine servicing, improving cycle time consistency and reducing ergonomic strain on operators. Best practices for seamless integration include conducting task-specific risk assessments in line with ISO 12100 and ISO/TS 15066, implementing safety-certified monitored shutdowns, speed and separation monitoring, and ensuring robust cybersecurity controls for connected robotic cells. Engineers are also advised to prioritize modular system architectures, standardized industrial communication protocols (such as PROFINET or EtherCAT), and digital simulation tools to validate layouts and workflows prior to physical implementation. Challenges in legacy production environments Many manufacturing environments are aging or are built around legacy systems that weren't designed for robotics. Restricted layout plans, outdated infrastructure, or patchy connectivity can complicate integration. When new technology meets older equipment, the process can become costly or time-consuming if the two aren't seamlessly aligned. A robot's capabilities alone don't determine how collaborative automation will work. Installing and configuring robotic systems, integrating software, and maintaining everything involved can push a team beyond its current capabilities. The initial costs, from the equipment itself to facility modifications and staff training, can seem high, especially in the current economic climate. Traditional robots, typically built for fixed, repetitive tasks, often require extensive reprogramming every time they change products or layouts, resulting in downtime that can quickly erode their overall advantage. To address these limitations, manufacturers are adopting increasingly flexible automation approaches that prioritize rapid deployment, reconfigurability, and scalability of investments, especially for small and medium-sized operations. For example, the CubeBOX EcoLEAN-V1 and V2 allow systems to be repositioned and adapted as workflows evolve. This flexibility allows manufacturers to scale automation incrementally without tying production to fixed layouts. This reflects a broader shift towards agile automation, solutions designed to adapt to changing production needs. EcoLEAN is available in various configurations to support different payloads, part sizes, and space constraints, enabling deployment in a wide range of production environments. The right investment A Deloitte survey of 600 manufacturing executives in 2025 found that 80% of them plan to invest 20% or more of their improvement budgets in smart manufacturing initiatives this year, with a focus on core tools and technologies. This level of commitment signals a clear shift in the industry: manufacturers no longer view digitalization and automation as optional upgrades, but as essential capabilities that will define competitiveness in the years to come. While collaborative technology is driving this transformation, it is flexibility, mobility, and financial accessibility that will ultimately redefine how manufacturing operates and who has access to the benefits of automation.

30/03/2026 Read more

A compact space marvel that offers maximum visibility

Other articles that may interest you

Linde mh italia completes the acquisition of tre-p material handling torino, strengthening its prese

New still axl 15 igo autonomous electric pallet truck

Tezmaksan: making automation accessible to every factory

Dati Legali

Sede Legale

Registro Imprese

Contatti