Libiao Robotics has been named a winner of the Robot Warehouse System category of the 2026 International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Award, one of the most respected honours in the global material handling and warehouse automation industry.
The awards were presented during the IFOY AWARD Night at the impressive headquarters of software specialist AEB in Stuttgart, Germany, attended by over 150 international guests from the worlds of business, science and the media.
The award recognises Libiao’s groundbreaking AirRob PRO automated storage and goods-to-person system, which impressed the independent IFOY jury with its innovative approach to handling both cartons and totes within a single, highly flexible warehouse solution.
Widely regarded as a benchmark for innovation and commercial relevance in intralogistics, the IFOY Award subjects nominees to a rigorous three-stage evaluation process comprising the IFOY Test, a scientific Innovation Check and comprehensive assessment by an international jury of specialist journalists.
Pioneering Technology
AirRob PRO builds upon Libiao’s pioneering climbing robot technology, enabling warehouse operators to maximise storage density and improve fulfilment efficiency without extensive changes to existing infrastructure. Unlike conventional systems, AirRob PRO can handle both raw cartons and reusable totes using a single platform, eliminating the need for time-consuming decanting processes.
Among its most distinctive innovations is a pivoting pick arm capable of retrieving and depositing loads on either side of the warehouse aisle, reducing the number of required workstations and, in some applications, eliminating them altogether. The system’s intelligent vision capabilities, adaptable suction technology and integrated conveyor mechanisms enable secure handling of products across a wide variety of dimensions and packaging formats.
Designed for high-throughput operations in sectors such as eCommerce, grocery, fashion, health and beauty, pharmaceuticals and third-party logistics, AirRob PRO offers customers a scalable automation solution that combines flexibility with exceptional space efficiency.
Extraordinary Honour
Ronan Shen, Head of Global Sales at Libiao Robotics, said: “Winning an IFOY Award is an extraordinary honour for everyone at Libiao Robotics. The IFOY process is recognised throughout our industry for its independence, technical rigour and focus on real-world customer benefit, so this award means a great deal to us.
“At Libiao, we have always challenged conventional thinking around warehouse automation. We believe companies like ours are helping to lead the next generation of intralogistics innovation – developing solutions that are not only more efficient and scalable, but also more adaptable to the rapidly changing needs of modern supply chains.”
“AirRob PRO was created in direct response to customer feedback and the growing pressures facing warehouse operators worldwide, including labour shortages, rising costs and limited space. To see that innovation recognised by such a prestigious international award is incredibly rewarding. I would like to thank our customers, partners and the entire Libiao team for their passion and commitment in making this achievement possible.”
After unveiling Libiao as a winner of the Warehouse Robot Systems category of IFOY, the organisers said that the jury particularly praised AirRob PRO’s practical applicability, scalability and clear customer benefits. It highlighted the intelligent combination of transport and picking functions, the innovative gripper technology and the ability to efficiently automate existing warehouse infrastructures. According to the jury, AirRob PRO “sets new benchmarks for flexible warehouse automation and ranks among the most innovative robotics solutions in this year’s competition”.
Libiao’s AirRob technology has already been deployed in logistics operations around the world, supporting retailers, third-party logistics providers and parcel operators seeking greater flexibility and efficiency in their fulfilment operations.
The IFOY Awards are judged by an independent international jury representing leading logistics media across 19 countries. A total of 49 products and solutions were entered into the competition, with 17 products and solutions qualified for the final challenging multi-stage IFOY Audit before undergoing further assessment and judging by the jury.
