Danish Startup Wins Major Industry Award with Self-Driving Pallet Jack Built by Nine Employees
Odense, Thursday, 8 October 2026.
Danish startup The Mobile Robot Company won the 2026 Industrial Truck of the Year award with its J1600 dual-mode pallet jack, built by a team of just nine employees.
Strategic Automation Approach
The J1600 distinguishes itself through a dual-mode operational framework that combines manual control with autonomous transport capabilities [2]. This human-in-the-loop design allows operators to manually maneuver the pallet jack for tasks requiring judgment, such as picking up pallets or positioning loads, before switching to autonomous mode for repetitive floor-to-floor transport [2]. The system utilizes NVIDIA Jetson AI-powered 3D LiDAR SLAM navigation, which eliminates the need for infrastructure changes like magnetic tape or QR codes [1]. Operators can create new destinations by manually driving the unit to a location and saving it via a 15-inch touchscreen, a process that requires approximately 30 minutes of training [2]. The device supports payloads up to 1,600 kg and reaches top speeds of 5.4 km/h, ensuring compatibility with standard logistics workflows [1].
Financial Structure and Market Entry
The Mobile Robot Company operates with a lean team of nine employees, having founded the enterprise in November 2024 without external venture capital financing [3]. The company utilizes a partner-led distribution model, having established partnerships in eight countries within nineteen months of founding [1]. Pricing for the J1600 includes a €65,000 base unit, €3,600 for a manual charger, and €10,000 for an installation package, resulting in a typical configuration cost of 78600 [1]. A two-week paid trial is available for €4,000, allowing potential clients to assess performance before commitment [1]. The company targets small-to-medium operators and claims a projected customer ROI of 12 to 18 months [3].
Timeline and Future Outlook
The J1600 was officially launched on October 20, 2025, with pre-orders opening in December 2025 [1]. The product won the IFOY Industrial Truck of the Year award in June 2026, marking the first time a Danish firm has received this accolade [3]. Production batches began shipping in Q2 2026, following the first autonomous drive in January 2026 [3]. While the company is currently developing an unannounced new product with a different form factor, specific deadlines for this launch remain undisclosed [1]. The founders, Emil Hauch Jensen and Odin Kudahl Skovsted, previously worked at Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) and anticipate acquisition as the most likely exit strategy [3].