Although the number of industrial accidents is generally declining, unfortunately, this trend does not apply to the operation of forklifts. Therefore, any technology that can improve current statistics should be adopted as much as possible. A major focus of industry 4.0 is to transform manufacturing and industrial operations by improving connectivity and enhancing machinery, factories and processes through automation. When people and machines work close together -- a typical example is the warehouse -- embrace innovations that have become standard in the automotive industry, such as advanced driving assistance systems, which can reduce risks and protect people.
Advanced driver assistance systems designed for forklifts are comparable to those on cars because they emit various types of alarms - optical, acoustic or tactile - before or during critical situations. They can also (autonomously or partially autonomously) interfere with drive, steering or signal functions to prevent accidents. The integrated early warning system works with radio frequency, laser or camera technology to monitor specific risk areas or specified radii around machines and personnel for protection.
Therefore, in high-risk areas such as blind spots and busy intersections in the warehouse, the safety level of drivers and colleagues can be improved. The transition from outdoor to indoor work is another potentially dangerous situation: driving in the yard or outdoor area is usually much faster than that applicable indoors. Instead of relying on the driver to comply with the regulations, the radar based system can automatically reduce the speed when the truck enters the warehouse or production area and reverse the program in the opposite direction.
The development of forklift environmental sensors makes the detection of dangerous situations more and more complex, and preventive measures can be taken. Ultrasonic is used in areas close to forklifts, and radar and lidar (laser based) are deployed for long-distance and speed measurement. Products installed for predictive collision avoidance are typically used in conjunction with ultra wideband radio frequency technology.
The automotive industry has developed a cooperation system to enable cars to communicate with each other (car-2-car) or with the surrounding infrastructure (car-2-x). Now similar products are also used in the field of internal logistics. One example is a predictive accident alarm triggered when two forklifts collide; The other is forklift navigation using RFID. Vehicle positioning will also play an increasingly important role in the future. For indoor operation, mesh network is a promising development, which will improve vehicle and occupational safety.
An important consideration when evaluating auxiliary systems is their ease of use and the potential distractions of alarms - whether flashing lights, audible alarms, buzzers, etc. The auxiliary system shall not lead to inattention, nor excessively distract the attention of other drivers or personnel. Ideally, they should be easier to use than car radios, with simple menu navigation, reduced number of operational controls, and intuitive and easy to understand responses.
The fleet management system can also ensure that safety starts before the engine starts: RFID chips are used to identify the driver to prevent improper use by unauthorized or untrained personnel, and the electronic safety checklist verifies that the pre operation inspection has actually been carried out. Recording and reporting any impact of impact sensors promotes more responsible, responsible and therefore safer driving practices.
Recently, the cooperation between forklift manufacturers and professional suppliers of auxiliary systems and sensors has become closer and closer, indicating the increasing demand for these electronic guardian angels. Drivers have long been accustomed to the benefits of on-board technology - it is time to make these technologies more widely available to operators of material handling equipment to make the storage and internal logistics environment as safe as possible.
