Approachable Warehouse Automation from Big Joe
Welcome to another exciting episode of The New Warehouse Podcast. In this episode, Kevin welcomes Nick Malewicki, General Manager of Autonomous Solutions at Big Joe, to discuss how the company is making warehouse automation more accessible. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Big Joe has built its reputation on practical material handling equipment. Now, it is bringing that same philosophy to autonomous solutions.
Approachable Warehouse Automation Starts with Simplicity
Having spent nearly two decades on the customer side purchasing automation, Nick designed Big Joe’s autonomous solutions around real operational challenges instead of ideal conditions. Rather than forcing warehouses to adapt to automation, the equipment is designed to fit existing workflows.
As Nick explains, “Deployment, we measure it in days, not years. It works in your existing workflow instead of forcing you to redesign your facility around it.” With the operator and operation in mind Big Joe’s dual-mode equipment allows for easy switching between manual and autonomous operation.
Nick summarizes the company’s approach best when he says, “Approachable really means removing that complexity and delivering a machine that gets to work from day one.” Instead of requiring specialized engineers or lengthy integration projects, the goal is to make automation feel like another piece of material handling equipment rather than a complex technology project.
Building Automation Around Real Warehouse Operations
Nick explained that Big Joe focused on eliminating many of the infrastructure requirements that often delay automation projects. The company’s autonomous vehicles require no magnetic tape, floor-mounted QR codes, or reflector installations. Instead, they rely on embodied AI and advanced perception to navigate existing environments.
As Nick explains, “We purposely built for those brownfield applications, those older facilities, older warehouses, that may not be easily conducive to automation.” That philosophy also extends to navigation. The system can identify multiple North American pallet types and even detect pallet openings hidden behind stretch wrap, reducing unnecessary exceptions.
Nick reinforces the importance of solving real-world problems by noting, “These are actual customer facilities that exist, and we are up for those challenges.” By embracing imperfect environments rather than avoiding them, Big Joe is reducing one of the biggest barriers to warehouse automation.
Start Small, Scale with Confidence
Most recently, the company introduced four autonomous vehicles. They include, the AP44 autonomous pallet truck, ATC100 tugger, ASC40 stacker, and ACV40 three-wheel counterbalance forklift. “Starting semi-autonomous really allowed us to then build upon that and offer customers three vehicles in one.” Together, they enable operations to expand automation as confidence gradually grows.
Nick recommends taking “an approach of crawl, walk, run” by starting with repetitive pallet movements before introducing additional autonomous workflows. He finds, “Our customer has an interest for that full autonomy, but a lot of time’s they’re not ready. Either they have no automation or maybe just starting their journey.” He believes the AP44 provides an ideal entry point for warehouses. Primarily, it automates repetitive transportation tasks while allowing manual operation whenever needed. Having a piece of equipment that can start semi-autonomous, allows operations to learn more about how automation actually fits within their workflows.
Key Takeaways
- A crawl, walk, run strategy helps companies begin with simple workflows before expanding automation across their operations.
- Starting with semi-autonomous material handling equipment allows operations to learn how automation fits into their workflows.
- Big Joe intentionally designed its solutions for brownfield warehouses, eliminating the need for reflectors, magnetic tape, QR codes, and major infrastructure changes.
- Big Joe’s approach centers on approachable warehouse automation that reduces complexity instead of adding it.
- The company unveiled four autonomous vehicles designed to support horizontal transport, vertical movement, towing, and forklift applications.
Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments.
Guest Information
For more information on Big Joe, click here.
To connect with Nick Malewicki on LinkedIn, click here.
For more information about approachable warehouse automation, check out the podcasts below.
Interact Analysis: Inside the 2026 Warehouse Automation Market
Global Industrial: Warehouse Automation Solutions for Suppliers and Operators
