Forklifts play a critical role in the efficient operation of warehouses and manufacturing facilities. However, they can also be a safety hazard and result in workplace injuries and fatalities. According to OSHA, there are 35,000 to 62,000 injuries related to forklifts annually. One way to mitigate this risk and enhance forklift safety is to use a safety system that incorporates audio and visual alerts to warn operators of potential dangers.
The VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System is a technology solution that deploys a combination of cameras and AI software to detect people and provide real-time alerts to the operator. The system can detect someone who is too close to the vehicle and warn the operator. If configured with a driver-side camera, it can also detect signs of fatigue, smartphone usage, and smoking, and alert the operator.
The VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System is flexible and can be configured to use voice and sound alerts in eight languages to meet the specific requirements of your workplace. Additionally, if equipped with the optional 7″ CVBS display, visual alerts can also be activated.
By providing audio and visual alerts, the VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System helps operators to avoid accidents by alerting them of potential hazards such as pedestrians nearby. It also promotes safety by warning operators of fatigue and hazardous behavior such as using their smartphone while driving the vehicle or smoking. By increasing situational awareness, operators are less likely to become distracted and make mistakes, resulting in a safer workplace.
The table below provides an overview of the different audio and voice alerts which can be used to notify operators when people are detected in the warning and critical zones.
| Voice Alert | Sound Alert | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Warning Zone | Left, person detected | Slow pulse A |
| Left Critical Zone | Brake | Fast pulse A |
| Right Warning Zone | Right, person detected | Slow pulse A |
| Right Critical Zone | Brake | Fast pulse A |
| Rear Warning Zone | Rear, person detected | Slow pulse A |
| Rear Critical Zone | Brake | Fast pulse A |
You can configure the alerts using the VIA WorkX smartphone app. For more information, see section 4.3.2 of the VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System 3PD Installation Guide.
The VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System offers people detection through a choice of 3PD (left, right, and rear) and 2PD (front and rear) camera configurations. The 3PD configuration supports a people detection zone that covers an area of 240° – 300° around the side and back of the vehicle up to 4~5 meters (13ft. 1in. ~ 16ft. 5in.) away. The detection area can be customized with either a single (critical) zone or two (warning and critical) zones, and alerts can be set accordingly.
The table below provides a description of the detection icon behavior.
| DETECTION INDICATOR | COLOR | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| Front/Rear People Detection Icon | Blue | Camera not calibrated |
| Gray | No alert | |
| Yellow | Person in warning zone detected | |
| Red | Person in critical zone detected | |
| Driver Safety System Detection Icon | Blue | Camera not calibrated |
| Gray | No alert | |
| Red | Driver Safety System alert detected |
In summary, the VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System is an excellent solution for enhancing safety in warehouses and manufacturing facilities. It provides audio and visual alerts that prevent pedestrian accidents and reduce driver fatigue and distractions. The system is a flexible solution that can be deployed on combustion-powered and EV forklifts and can be configured to meet specific workplace requirements.
Reducing forklift accidents not only safeguards workers and saves money, but also prevents serious injuries such as fractures and head trauma. VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System (FSS) offers a robust solution, ensuring pedestrian detection and driver safety. Additionally, VIA WorkX Connect provides comprehensive insights into vehicle utilization and driver behavior via a unified dashboard.
If you are interested in learning more about the VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System, book a free consultation now.
