Reinforce Operator Training with the Crown ProximityAssist System

Crown Equipment’s ProximityAssist System is a LiDAR-based operator assist technology designed to detect objects in the path of a moving forklift and slow the travel of the lift truck. It is designed to reduce impacts, increase operator awareness, and reinforce training.

The ProximityAssist System is one of several Operator Assist Solutions available from Crown and is engineered and configured specifically for the forklift model on which it is installed. Each configuration is designed to detect objects such as racking, pallet loads, boxes and other objects within the forklift’s expected path of travel.

Crown’s design, engineering, and onboarding process distinguishes its ProximityAssist System from other operator assist systems. As with all new technologies, the company recommends following its 8-step technology implementation model to increase user acceptance.

Many detection and alert systems are bolt-on technologies that do not offer a level of integration available from the forklift OEM. Some alert systems may include unprotected sensors, positioning them where they may be subject to damage. Sensors used in bolt-on systems may also be mounted at a height that can limit their effectiveness. LiDAR-based systems that are mounted too high may fail to detect objects close to the floor or mounted too low which may detect items that are not actually obstructions.

The following are benefits Crown’s ProximityAssist System brings to forklift operations:

• Object detection automatically slows the lift truck regardless of the operator’s input, to allow time for the operator to take appropriate action. This can encourage operators to slow down in advance of system activation to minimize the number of appropriate ProximityAssist System responses.

• Integration with the forklift enables inputs from the forklift steering system to adjust the sensor’s field of view to focus on objects in the expected path of the forklift.

• Visual and audible alerts are provided through the 7” Touch Display that is available with Crown’s InfoLink^® operator and fleet management system or via the touchscreen utilized with Gena, Crown’s newest lift truck operating system. These additional alerts coincide with automatic slowdowns to help the operator become aware of the object in the path of the lift truck and to take the necessary action.

• The ProximityAssist System’s sensors are mounted in rugged steel housings to protect them from damage. They are located low to the ground and are designed for detection when traveling in the power unit direction. The addition of a second LiDAR sensor to the TSP Series Very Narrow Aisle Turret Truck allows for object detection in both directions of travel. Placement is designed to detect objects such as racking, pallet loads, boxes and other obstructions at near-floor level.

The ProximityAssist System is designed to reinforce safe operating habits taught through operator training, such as maintaining awareness and proper distance, but it does not completely stop the lift truck. It is not an autonomous system, where the equipment controls operation, and the operator may be optional or removed. Instead, the ProximityAssist System functions as an operator assist technology, where the operator remains in control and the technology acts as an aid.

Object detection systems do not eliminate the responsibility of operators and pedestrians to be aware of each other and maintain a safe working environment. Operators must be fully trained and capable of operating the forklift in a safe manner with or without the technology. These systems can be valuable tools, but they are no substitute for well-trained and attentive operators.

The ProximityAssist System can be ordered with new lift trucks or added to existing equipment using retrofit kits. It is available for reach trucks, order pickers, stand-up counterbalance lift trucks, very narrow aisle turret trucks, tow tractors and select rider pallet trucks. To learn more about the ProximityAssist System as well as many other Operator Assist Solutions available from Crown, visit the operator assist solutions page on crown.com.