TechnoAlpin SOTO Robots

• Autonomous mobile robot SOTO takes over small load carriers transport in snowmaking equipment production 

• Complements existing Jungheinrich infrastructure with AutoVNA warehouse, racking systems and industrial trucks 

• Scalable solution with capacity for up to 24 small load carriers and real-time material tracking 

TechnoAlpin, global market leader in snowmaking systems, is increasing the efficiency of its production logistics. At its Bolzano site, the autonomous mobile robot SOTO from Jungheinrich will in future handle the transport of small load carriers (SLC). 

Hamburg/Bolzano, 2 October 2025– TechnoAlpin S.p.A., the world’s leading provider of snowmaking systems and snow guns headquartered in Bolzano, has ordered the autonomous mobile robot SOTO from Jungheinrich’s subsidiary Magazino. The intelligent robot will in future transport SLC between the warehouse and assembly lines, ensuring a continuous material flow with high process reliability. 

Long-standing partnership as foundation 

TechnoAlpin has been a valued Jungheinrich customer for many years. At the Bolzano site, an automated very narrow aisle warehouse (AutoVNA), racking systems and manual industrial trucks from the Hamburg-based material handling specialist are already in operation. With the introduction of SOTO, the company is now adding another key element of automation to its infrastructure. 

With this expansion, TechnoAlpin is optimising material supply in assembly and implementing a scalable, autonomous SLC supply in production that integrates seamlessly into the existing Jungheinrich system landscape. 

Autonomous transport for maximum efficiency 

SOTO will in future take over fully automated transport of SLC between some 30 racking stations across a 300-metre route. Its adjustable gripper not only allows SLC to be picked up and set down at heights between 400 and 1,700 mm, but also rotated by 90 degrees. This ensures flexible transfer regardless of orientation, whether to racking or conveyor systems. With a capacity of up to 24 SLC, the robot offers maximum flexibility for a wide range of production requirements. 

The connection to the existing ERP system ensures a fully digital process chain: transport orders are automatically generated, while SOTO scans the SLC and places them precisely in the designated locations. Real-time material tracking provides full transparency across all transport processes. 

Seamless integration 

The project highlights the strength of Jungheinrich’s holistic approach to material handling: racking systems, industrial trucks and mobile robots work hand in hand. A particular feature is the integration of the fire protection system, which is linked directly to the Jungheinrich I/O management system to ensure maximum safety standards. 

“The long-standing and trusted partnership with TechnoAlpin, combined with the excellent cooperation during the project phase, has paved the way for this implementation,” says Francesco Davoli, Project Manager Technical Sales Mobile Robots at Jungheinrich Italy. “With SOTO we can provide our customer with a tailor-made addition that integrates smoothly into the existing infrastructure and delivers targeted improvements to the material flow.” 

The system can be flexibly expanded if required. Commissioning in Bolzano is scheduled for March 2026.