Abstract: In accordance with the invention, provides is a auto-navigating vehicle, that include a payload portion configured to hold or pull a payload, a drive system configured to cause the vehicle to drive, stop, and steer, the drive system including drive controls that enable a non-remote operator to drive the vehicle from an operator area proximate to the drive controls, a sensor head configured to detect information indicating the absence and presence of objects in an environment, a navigation system operatively coupled to the drive system and sensor head and configured to auto-navigate the vehicle through the environment without operator drive control. The sensor head is oriented above the drive controls and between the drive controls and payload portion, such that the sensor head is substantially out of a field of view of an operator when in the operator area.