When I first encountered Rapyuta Robotics’ Autonomous Forklift (AFL), I was fascinated by its quiet precision. It moved with confidence, yet something was missing—its “voice.” My goal was to give this machine a sound identity that could communicate clearly in a noisy warehouse while still feeling human and intentional.

I was responsible for designing the forklift’s key sound cues:
 • Normal operation
 • Turning
 • Error alerts
 • Warning sirens

The Challenge

From the start, the challenge was balance. The sounds had to stand out in an industrial environment but never feel intrusive. They needed to guide, not distract. Working closely with their team, I experimented with tone, rhythm, and frequency, running multiple rounds of refinement to find that balance.

Clarity was essential, but so was emotional tone. I avoided overly melodic or catchy sounds, as they might seem pleasant at first but quickly become irritating when heard hundreds of times a day. Each cue was designed to convey intent: gentle beeps for proximity alerts, firm tones for operational feedback, and distinct sirens for urgent warnings.

The process also came with technical limitations. Forklift speakers have a narrow tonal range and limited memory, so every detail had to count. It became an exercise in restraint—designing simplicity that still carried warmth and presence.

The Result

In the end, the forklift gained more than just a set of sounds. It gained a sonic language, one that quietly supports safety, clarity, and human comfort. Every beep, tone, and alert now speaks with purpose, turning a functional necessity into part of Rapyuta’s product experience.