AMR, AGV & Intralogistics Automation worked example

Autonomous Forklift Payback Calculator with autonomous forklift project investment of 1,400,000 $: a worked example

This scenario runs the autonomous forklift payback calculator calculation on the strong side: autonomous forklift project investment of 1,400,000 $, with every other input held at its documented default. a plant or distribution-center manager needs a first-pass payback estimate for autonomous pallet handling

The inputs for this scenario

  • Autonomous forklift project investment: 1,400,000 $ (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 560,000)
  • Annual pallet-handling savings: 210,000 $ / yr (unchanged)
  • Annual fleet support and software cost: 52,000 $ / yr (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Net annual pallet-handling savings = annual pallet-handling savings - annual fleet support and software cost) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 8.86 yr for autonomous forklift payback period, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 158,000 $ / yr for net annual pallet-handling savings.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,400,000 $ for autonomous forklift project investment.
  • At this operating point the engine returns -610,000 $ for five-year autonomous forklift net value.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where autonomous forklift project investment sits at 560,000 $ and the headline result is 3.54 yr, this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 8.86 yr.
  • Use it when scoping an AMR/AGV forklift deployment for put-away, replenishment, or trailer loading and you need a fast payback figure before a detailed business case. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Autonomous forklift payback period: 8.86 yr (headline result)
  • Net annual pallet-handling savings: 158,000 $ / yr
  • Autonomous forklift project investment: 1,400,000 $
  • Five-year autonomous forklift net value: -610,000 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Autonomous Forklift Payback Calculator calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.