Bringing Hydrogen Power Inside the Warehouse — The AGV Fuel Cell PoC
When the opportunity arose to explore hydrogen propulsion for an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) inside a major warehouse operation, the challenge was clear: could a compact fuel cell module reliably replace or extend the performance of the existing battery system without disrupting operations? To answer that, FCT deployed a fully integrated fuel cell module — based on the Lamina architecture — and ran a confidential Proof of Concept focused purely on technical feasibility, thermal behavior, and real-world load handling. This project became a stress test for hydrogen in one of the most demanding indoor environments: continuous stop-and-go logistics.
The PoC began in a controlled lab setting, validating startup stability, power delivery, and system behavior across the first minutes of operation.
The real benchmark came during on-vehicle trials. In dynamic AGV drive cycles, the module consistently produced hydrogen power during operation. Peak energy demands where compensated for by the hybrid battery buffer. The system proved crucial principles: the fuel cell delivered stable voltage, rapid cold-start capability, predictable hydrogen consumption, and refuelling times measured in seconds. The PoC confirmed that with an optimized thermal design, side-air inlet, and improved control logic an AGV could operate primarily on hydrogen, with runtime limited only by onboard storage rather than battery state of charge.
This user story marks a foundational step, demonstrating not only that hydrogen is technically viable for warehouse automation, but that its performance can be engineered to meet demanding industrial use cycles. The PoC didn’t aim to deliver perfection; it aimed to expose the real engineering gaps and prove the core potential. And it did exactly that
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Curious where this could go next? We are always looking for rebels with ideas — engineers, operators, integrators, and innovators who see potential where others see limits. If you have a use case, a challenge, or a concept that deserves cleaner, smarter power, let’s talk. Reach out, share your thinking, and help shape what hydrogen can enable next.