The new “Reverse Assist Radar” system from Linde Material Handling (MH) protects people and prevents damage to goods and infrastructure by detecting moving and stationary objects behind counterbalanced trucks. If there is a risk of a collision, the assistance system very quickly brakes the vehicle to a standstill. The solution ensures high productivity through situation-specific interventions.
“More than half of all accidents involving industrial trucks happen when the vehicle is reversing,” says Fabian Zimmermann, Product Manager Safety Solutions at Linde MH, citing available statistics and drawing attention to a risk that is often underestimated. One of the main reasons is the driver’s limited view to the rear. “The blind spot begins when the angle of vision exceeds 180 degrees. But even before that, people and objects behind the vehicle are not perceived so well.” The Linde Reverse Assist Radar, a sensor-based system that detects both moving and stationary objects located behind the truck in its path of travel, is now available to help.
Forklifts are reversing
A major advantage of this safety solution is its powerful braking performance in the event of danger. If an obstacle is detected, the Linde Reverse Assist Radar brakes the truck to a standstill with a force of up to 3m/s2. The braking effect is calculated according to the lift height, travel speed, steering angle and distance to the obstacle, so it is always adapted to the individual driving and hazard situation. Different lighting conditions do not affect the proper functioning of the system. If the Reverse Assist Radar detects a potential collision, it automatically intervenes and overrides the driving command. “The system provides valuable assistance, especially in hectic situations in the warehouse or when inexperienced forklift drivers are behind the wheel, when material has been placed incorrectly and is in the path of travel or when the driver is distracted,” explains Zimmermann.
Emergency warning only
In the event of a hazard, the system alerts the driver with a series of acoustic signals. If the truck is equipped with an optional 7’’ display, the driver will additionally receive a visual warning and be prompted to check the area behind the vehicle. The detection area is designed to cover the rear width of the truck as standard but can be adjusted to suit individual requirements. “The system only reacts to obstacles in the defined travel path,” continues the product expert. For example, goods or other objects located in a block storage area to the right and left of the path will not cause the system to intervene. This avoids unnecessary disturbances or interruptions.
Another advantage of the Linde Reverse Assist Radar is that it can be combined with other safety assistance solutions. “To minimize risks in the warehouse environment and avoid dangerous situations with industrial trucks, it can make sense to combine different solutions,” explains Zimmermann. These include, for example, the Linde Front Assist Camera, which is based on artificial intelligence and detects dangerous situations involving pedestrians when the truck is moving forward and decelerates the vehicle accordingly. “Our sales organization provides advice and support, because choosing the right solution always depends on the specific situation on site.” Equally important to the Linde safety expert is the impending availability of the Linde Reverse Assist Radar as a retrofit solution.
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