KUKA has unveiled the KMF 1500P-CB, the opening model of a brand-new autonomous forklift line built to move materials through warehouses and production sites without direct human control. The vehicle can carry both open and enclosed pallets or containers up to 1,500 kg, giving manufacturers a way to keep goods flowing safely and precisely while easing pressure from ongoing labor shortages.
A New Product Line for Autonomous Pallet Handling
Efficient, automated material flow has become essential for staying competitive in logistics and manufacturing. Through the KMF 1500P series, KUKA is building out a lineup of self-driving forklifts designed to help businesses streamline transport tasks, cut down on wasted resources, and raise safety standards on the shop floor. The counterbalance version — the “CB” in KMF 1500P-CB — kicks off the range and was purpose-built to move a mix of pallet and container types across longer distances.
Product manager Christian Mühsam notes that manufacturers are struggling to keep transport reliable and affordable amid persistent workforce gaps, and that this new forklift line is intended to automate those processes, strengthen safety, and push KUKA’s offering beyond standard horizontal transport.
Flexible Handling, Automated Around the Clock
Built to carry loads up to 1,500 kg, the KMF 1500P-CB works with both sealed and open pallets or containers — and it does so without requiring changes to a facility’s existing transfer stations. Its counterbalance build lets it pick up loads even at tight, enclosed points like roller conveyors, while its oversized wheels keep transport smooth and stable over long indoor runs.
The vehicle can lift loads with precision to heights of up to three meters, and its LFP battery pack recharges via conductive charging, supporting continuous, round-the-clock operation.
Built-In Safety, Fast Integration
Safety shaped every stage of the KMF 1500P-CB’s design. A 360-degree safety system lets companies deploy it confidently even in busy, ever-changing warehouse or production settings, reducing risk to both staff and equipment. The forklift already complies with the EU Machinery Regulation, which becomes binding across the bloc in January 2027 — meaning early adopters get a head start on regulatory compliance.
Because it runs on KUKA’s established KUKA.AMR software platform, the KMF 1500P-CB slots into existing logistics workflows with minimal setup. It also supports the VDA 5050 communication interface, letting it work alongside fleet management systems from other manufacturers.
Rollout Timeline and What’s Next
Global ordering for the KMF 1500P-CB opens in September 2026, with first deliveries slated for December 2026. KUKA plans to grow the series further in Q1 2027 with the KMF 1500P-PS, a pallet stacker variant built for open pallets and containers. Its compact footprint makes it well suited to automated handling in tighter warehouse spaces — a theme also explored in KUKA’s recent showcase, KUKA at LogiMAT 2026: Mobile Robotics in an Interactive Space, and in the wider industry roundup on LogiMAT 2026 emerging trends for intralogistics solutions.