Warehouse safety is now a non-negotiable priority for logistics companies, particularly in an operational context increasingly defined by fast-paced workflows, shared spaces and a workforce that is often inexperienced or transient. Against this backdrop, the introduction of technologies that can boost operator alertness and help prevent hazardous situations takes on strategic importance. It is in this direction that Yale Lift Truck Technologies has moved, announcing a new technology integrated into its Yale Reliant range: a pedestrian detection camera, developed to monitor the area surrounding the lift truck and provide immediate alerts when people are nearby.
The system, based on an extensive dataset of real-world conditions and designed to adapt to varying environments and lighting, can accurately identify pedestrians up to six metres away, thanks to a wide 120-degree field of view. When a person is detected, the operator automatically receives both visual and audible alerts, helping to avoid potential collisions. The aim is to increase real-time awareness, especially in areas where people and vehicles operate side by side.
The camera is mounted on the rear of the lift truck, covering the manoeuvring zone most exposed during reverse operations. The system is optimised for speeds of eight kilometres per hour or lower, giving operators sufficient time to interpret the warning and respond safely. Acoustic signals and vehicle deceleration stop automatically when the pedestrian is no longer within the camera’s field of view, thus avoiding unnecessary operational interruptions.
The system is offered with flexible configuration options. It can be supplied in a basic version with visual and audible alerts, or with an additional level of protection through traction response. In the latter case, when a pedestrian is detected, the vehicle not only emits a sound and displays a visual signal on the LED screen indicating the person's location, but also decelerates slightly. While retaining full control of the vehicle, the operator is prompted to respond promptly by applying the brakes, steering, or both, to avoid the obstacle.
This new system is the latest evolution of the Yale Reliant platform, an active technology suite launched in 2021 and designed to collect data from both the truck and its surroundings, in order to regulate performance and alert the operator to potential hazards. To date, Yale Reliant solutions have accumulated more than 24 million hours of field operation, across over 8,300 units worldwide, a testament to their effectiveness and reliability.
