ABB Robotics enhances F712 autonomous forklift with vSLAM navigation

The new Flexley Stack F712 autonomous forklift is designed for both storage and retrieval operations. Source: ABB Robotics.

ABB Robotics today launched the Flexley Stack F712, an autonomous forklift. The company states that this latest addition to its mobile robot portfolio creates a more complete and interoperable ecosystem.

ABB says it designed the Flexley Stack F712 for demanding material handling, end-of-line storage, and warehouse operations across industries, including automotive manufacturing. The company reports that its new autonomous mobile robot (AMR) enhances efficiency, flexibility, and scalability.

"Across intralogistics operations, businesses are expected to handle larger volumes in less time, often with dwindling resources," said Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics. "They face pressure to move goods faster and more flexibly, while labor availability turns into a critical constraint."

"As part of our journey toward more autonomous versatile robotics (AVR), we have combined advanced vision, mobility, and intelligence in the Flexley Stack F712 forklift, completing our scalable, AI-powered AMR portfolio," he said. "This marks a turning point in industrial robotics. AVR allows robots to react dynamically in unstructured environments, redefining their capabilities."

Flexley Stack Uses vSLAM Instead of Pre-Installed Infrastructure

The Flexley Stack F712 can handle various load types and sizes thanks to its adjustable forks, according to ABB Robotics. This includes open and closed pallets, containers, or racks, with loads up to 2,000 kg (4,409.2 lb.) and lift heights of up to 8.5 m (27.8 ft.).

Unlike conventional automated forklifts, the F712 uses visual simultaneous localization and mapping (vSLAM) to navigate its surroundings, said ABB. This removes the need for pre-installed infrastructure such as markers or reflectors.

"Traditional localization only sees the world through thin 2D lidar slices, but now we have a rich 3D view and can share maps across our fleet of stackers, movers, and tuggers," said Renaud Dubé, head of R&D at Sevensense by ABB, during a press briefing.

The AI-enabled system supports the autonomous decision-making needed to operate in complex, dynamic warehouse environments, with a market-leading positional accuracy of ±10 mm (0.3 in.), the company asserts.

The new AMR joins the Flexley Tug and Flexley Mover in ABB Robotics' expanding vSLAM fleet. The P604 is an omnidirectional platform capable of carrying two pallets, while the smaller P2603 AMR works with various top modules, explained Ricardo Martinez, R&D product technology manager at ABB Robotics. The F712 can also integrate with the company's industrial robot arms.

"Across the globe, companies tell us about their difficulties hiring forklift drivers. SLAM provides flexibility," said Alfonso Gonzalez, global AMR product line manager at ABB Robotics. "By integrating all our AMRs with the same navigation technology, we enable them to work seamlessly together. There's an advantage when AMRs can collaborate on the same project—they're no longer limited or isolated."

The more agile AMRs can reduce operational costs, improve return on investment (ROI), and operate safely around the clock, said ABB Robotics. The ability of different AMR types to collaborate on the same workflows will translate into greater flexibility for logistics processes including line feeding, pallet handling, and scalable storage, explained Martinez.

Applications include intralogistics tasks such as warehouse storage and retrieval, line supply, end-of-line handling, body and press shop operations, and drive-in and light buffer tasks in the automotive and industrial sectors.

F712 Meets Industry Standards and Integrates with AMR Studio

The Flexley Stack F712 is fully integrated with AMR Studio software and is VDA 5050-compatible, enabling interoperability with ABB Robotics' other AMRs—all of which now feature vSLAM. Its integration with other systems simplifies managing complex projects involving different types of mobile robots, the company said.

Together with AMR Studio, this can reduce commissioning times by up to 20% and adapt instantly to changes in warehouse or production floor layouts. The no-code, drag-and-drop software suite supports rapid setup, fleet coordination, traffic management, and real-time visualization. ABB said its tugs, movers, and forklifts can operate together in the same layout for "scalable, turnkey" automation projects.

"Customers can design workflows in a single, user-friendly interface," said Ainhoa Narváez, UX/UI designer and industrial design engineer at ABB Robotics. "AMR Studio democratizes automation. It enables true collaboration for operational efficiency based on real-time data, and it can scale as needs evolve."

Certified to the latest ISO and ANSI safety standards, the Flexley Stack F712 can safely operate at speeds up to 1.7 m/s (3.8 mph) while carrying a load, the company said. The new lift truck is now available, according to Martinez.

By combining autonomous forklifts, tugs, and movers on a single platform, ABB Robotics says it enables customers to automate a broader range of material handling and intralogistics processes. As one of the world's leading robot manufacturers, ABB Robotics' portfolio includes industrial robots, cobots, and AMRs for industries such as automotive, electronics, and logistics.

In October 2025, ABB Group announced plans to sell its robotics unit to SoftBank Group for $5.3 billion. ABB Robotics employs approximately 7,000 people, and its U.S. headquarters and factory are located in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

ABB Robotics received a 2026 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its OmniCore EyeVision system, which allows robots to autonomously adapt to complex environments.

In addition, Ford Motor Co. recently named ABB Robotics a 2026 Ford Supplier of the Year in the Indirect Industrial Equipment and Construction Excellence Category. The automaker cited ABB's performance, dedication, and collaboration during the 2025 fiscal year.