DC Velocity - NFSD 2019

WHEN IT COMES TO FORKLIFT SAFETY, good operator
training will always be Number One. But a variety of lift truck
accessories, devices, and technology products can also help
you enhance safety for forklift operators and pedestrians in
your warehouse or DC. Here are some recent examples that
are now on the market.
SPOTLIGHT ON FORKLIFT
SAFETY PRODUCTS

These new products are designed to enhance the safety of forklift
operators and pedestrians wherever lift trucks are in use.

SMARTPHONE-BASED FLEET MANAGEMENT APP

Elokon, a provider of lift truck anti-collision and fleet management technology, has reimagined its ELOfleet forklift fleet management system as an app-based solution that can be used on smartphones and other mobile devices. The app can be installed on virtually any Android device, making it easier and more cost-effective to control forklift access, complete safety checklists, monitor vehicle impacts, and manage forklift fleet data, the company says.

The ELOfleet solution—whether installed on an Android smartphone, tablet, or warehouse management system (WMS) terminal—incorporates a number of features. Examples include:

; App-based access control that lets drivers log in to lift trucks via the Android device’s radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader.

; App-managed safety checklists that allow operators to complete their checklists on the Android device.

MULTICAMERA SYSTEM FOR 360-DEGREE VISIBILITY

Germany’s Robert Bosch GmbH has introduced a multicamera system that improves visibility and safety for forklift operators. This new system can provide a full 360-degree view around the forklift, even if it is carrying bulky freight. According to the manufacturer, this visibility helps the forklift maneuver with precision and helps operators estimate distances more accurately while in motion.

The multicamera system consists of a control unit plus four very compact near-range cameras. Working together, they can capture an area measuring approximately 26 feet by

26 feet. The cameras were originally designed for Bosch’s passenger-car segment and have now been adapted for the logistics market.

Cameras are positioned at the front, rear, and each side of
the forklift. With an aperture of nearly 190 degrees, they can
view the vehicle’s entire surroundings. Drivers see a real-
istic representation of their forklift as a detailed 3-D model
on a display. As the forklift moves, the display adjusts the
view of its surroundings in real time. The manufacturer can
preconfigure the screen to display
individual or 360-degree views as
well as full-screen or split-screen
views. The driver then chooses the
best view for the task at hand from
the preprogrammed options.

The multicamera system can visually project the vehicle’s immediate path over the forward, rear,

or top view. To achieve this, the control unit measures the steering angle, calculates the resulting route, and shows it on the display. If the steering angle changes, the system recalculates the route and adapts the display accordingly. A route overlay that appears on the screen serves primarily to aid in maneuvering and merging. (Bosch, www.bosch-mobility-solutions.com/en/)