Autonomous Forklift Market Report 2026

The autonomous forklift market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.84 billion in 2025 to $8.76 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising warehouse automation initiatives, increasing labor cost challenges, growing need for operational efficiency, expansion of logistics and e commerce operations, rising industrial modernization programs.

The autonomous forklift market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.79 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for autonomous warehouse mobility, increasing focus on reducing handling time, rising investment in intelligent logistics infrastructure, expansion of automated indoor and outdoor handling, increasing safety and efficiency optimization needs. Major trends in the forecast period include growing deployment of driverless warehouse handling systems, rising preference for automated material handling solutions, increasing use of intelligent load handling technologies, expansion of smart warehouse modernization initiatives, strengthening demand for high efficiency logistics automation.

The increasing adoption of autonomous forklifts within the automotive industry is anticipated to drive the growth of the autonomous forklift market in the coming years. The automotive industry includes the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, and related components, and plays a vital role in the global economy and technological advancement. Growth in the automotive industry is being supported by rising consumer demand for advanced technologies, sustainable mobility solutions, and the expansion of electric and autonomous vehicles, driven by environmental concerns and innovations in transportation. Autonomous forklifts are increasingly used in the automotive sector to improve operational efficiency, lower labor costs, enhance workplace safety by reducing human error, and optimize logistics and material-handling processes within highly automated manufacturing environments. For example, in August 2024, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, a Belgium-based organization, during the first seven months of 2024, new car registrations increased by 3.9%, surpassing 6.5 million units. Major markets in the region recorded moderate but positive growth, with Spain growing by 5.6%, Italy by 5.2%, Germany by 4.3%, and France by 2.2%. As a result, the growing use of autonomous forklifts in the automotive industry is contributing to the expansion of the autonomous forklift market.

Leading companies operating in the autonomous forklift market are increasingly concentrating on the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled autonomous forklifts to improve warehouse automation, enhance worker safety, and achieve greater labor cost efficiency. AI-powered autonomous forklifts are material-handling vehicles equipped with computer vision technologies, perception sensors such as LiDAR or cameras, and onboard AI systems that support autonomous navigation, pallet recognition, collision prevention, and precise pick-and-place operations. For instance, in June 2023, Cyngn Inc., a US-based autonomous industrial vehicle technology company, introduced its DriveMod-enabled autonomous forklift. This AI-driven solution is designed to automate forklift operations in industrial and warehouse settings and features real-time 360-degree perception for improved safety, intelligent pallet detection for accurate load handling, and a load capacity of up to 10,000 pounds. Forklifts equipped with DriveMod technology enhance material-handling productivity, reduce downtime caused by human error, and enable facilities to scale automation without requiring significant infrastructure modifications.

In September 2024, Oshkosh Corporation, a US-based leader in mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, acquired AUSACORP S.L. for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition incorporates AUSA's compact all-terrain machines into Oshkosh's Access segment, thereby enhancing its product range in construction and material handling equipment. AUSACORP S.L. is a manufacturer of forklifts based in Spain.

Major companies operating in the autonomous forklift market report are Hangcha Group Co. Ltd., Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, KAUP GmbH & Co., Kion Group AG, Lonking Machinery Co. Ltd., Toyota Industries Corporation, Linde Material Handling GmbH, Crown Equipment Corporation, Doosan Corporation, Konecranes Oyj, Seegrid Corporation, Balyo Robotic SA, Agilox Services GMBH, Clearpath Robotics Inc., Mitsubishi Logisnext Co. Ltd., Manitou BF S. A, Jungheinrich AG, Anhui Heli Co. Ltd., Anhui Yufeng Equipment Co. Ltd., Komatsu Ltd., EP Equipment Co. Ltd., Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Clark Material Handling Company, Combilift Ltd., Hyster-Yale Material Handling Inc., Still GmbH, AutoGuide Mobile Robots, BYD Company Ltd., Hubtex Australia Pty Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the autonomous forklift market share in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the autonomous forklift market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the autonomous forklift market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The autonomous forklifts market consists of sales of diesel powered forklift, LPG or petrol powered forklift and electric powered forklift. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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