Mitsubishi Logisnext has unveiled a new automated positioning system for its SEnD series reach trucks aimed at reducing product damage in high-density warehouses. When operating at heights above 8 meters, the ground becomes virtually invisible to the operator, making it extremely difficult to see the fork tips relative to the pallet entry holes. Operators often misjudge the distance, striking the pallet stringers and causing costly product damage or rack instability.
The VisionMate system utilizes a wide-angle camera mounted on the fork carriage, paired with a high-resolution monitor in the cab. Using image recognition software, the system identifies the geometry of the pallet and overlays a "target box" on the screen. When the forks are misaligned, the box turns red. As the operator adjusts the tilt and sideshift, the system automatically stops the adjustment motors the instant the forks reach the perfect entry angle, turning the box green.
For the final approach, the system takes over the hydraulic creep speed. Once the forks are aligned, the operator simply holds a "confirm" button, and the reach truck automatically drives forward at a micro-adjusted speed, sliding the forks into the pallet pockets with millimeter precision.
This semi-autonomous feature eliminates the "jab and stab" method typically used at height, reducing pallet breakage by 40% in pilot tests. It also reduces operator fatigue, as the mental strain of constantly estimating distances at extreme heights is significantly lowered. The system works on standard wooden pallets as well as the slimmer profiles of wire mesh containers, making it versatile for mixed storage environments.
