How Automation Technologies Improve Forklift Operating Efficiency and Reduce Collisions

Increasingly competitive industrial environments are challenging warehouse and distribution center managers to reduce costs and increase productivity, while raising quality and safety standards.

For facilities that cannot cost-justify a full conversion to completely automated unit load handling equipment, incorporating backup sensing technologies on forklifts can help maximize their efficiency.

That’s because adding active systems, such as backup sensing solutions to manned forklifts can reduce the risk of a forklift collision with objects behind the forklift, such as personnel, products, machinery or structures.

There has been a growing interest by end users to equip manned forklifts with this technology on either new or existing equipment. No matter when the backup sensing technology is installed, its proper application and use, in combination with the driver, reduces collisions and minimizes downtime and expense associated with an accident.

This white paper will explain the available types of backup sensing solutions on manned forklifts, their respective advantages and disadvantages, the most common applications, and key considerations when selecting a system.