On industrial storage workplaces, forklift trucks often operate at high standards of productivity also near pedestrians, leading to an increased risk of collision between forklifts and pedestrians. Risks are high both in narrow aisles and in sensitive areas of co-activity. Kiwi-eye, a proximity detection system based on artificial intelligence developed by Kiwitron, helps the operator's maneuvers, standing as a third eye that keeps him alert in case of danger.Kiwitronhas gained a lot of experience with specific applications on forklift trucks and all types of lifting equipment in general. Kiwi-eye was born out of the need to invest in safety, while maintaining high standards of productivity and efficiency in logistics. The system is composed of hardware and software parts engineered, developed and manufactured in Bologna (Italy), where the headquarters of Kiwitron is located.

Kiwi-eye is able to detect both pedestrians, forklifts and markers with a high degree of accuracy and selectivity. The camera uses sensors with high standards of responsiveness both indoors and outdoors.How does it work?The system continuously processes real-time streams of video data to detect objects in the environment. Thanks to advanced algorithms, personal information is not captured. Kiwi-eye detects either pedestrians and forklifts with a detection field up to 25 meters and measures distances within centimeters. When an obstacle has been detected, Kiwi-eye immediately alerts the driver with an acoustic and a lighting signal. There are three alarm zones (alarm, warning, safe) that can be set up according to the running signal of the machine. The system interfaces directly with the machine, it's easy to install, set up and use. Kiwi-eye is more than an additional accessory: it's a driver assistance system that adds a competitive value to businesses.

How Kiwi-eye benefits end-users: the advantages of the system.Compared to old driver assistance systems, Kiwi-eye detects people without using tags for pedestrians. Moreover, the alert system, which can include a slow down automatic system, is activated only in case of real danger, avoiding false alarms. Another advantage of using artificial intelligence as an assistance system for drivers is machine learning: Kiwi-eye can learn to detect every obstacle in the workplace that has been trained to detect and locate. At the moment, the camera can read markers to detect different types of signs or objects: each symbol has its own identifier and a different meaning. This technology is often used in computer vision and uses a square code to give the camera additional information. This time, markers have been used to program Kiwi-eye to avoid specific obstacles in the workplace of a customer company (e.g. columns, AGVs and small automated guided vehicles). The camera detects markers positioned in specific areas or above machinery, the driver is automatically warned in case of danger and the forklift's speed slows down. Kiwi-eye can also be integrated with Kiwitron ETS fleet management system. In this case, it is possible to have additional functions: fleet localisation, parameters monitoring, data storage, access control, mission management, analysis and reporting. Most importantly, you can integrate the ETS system and Kiwi-eye to make a near miss analysis.

Thanks to a data crossing with the ETS system it is possible to have an overview of how many, where and when all alarms take place, the category of obstacles detected, alarms type and vehicle-obstacle distances (plus in safety mitigation). To sum up, you will be able to identify and control hazards in major areas at risk. Finally, Kiwi-eyeis easy to use and resistant. It has an alarm system that activates in case of darkened, dirty or wet glass. The aluminium sheet gives the camera a greater resistance to shocks, high temperatures and water. In conclusion, driver assistance systems for forklift trucks are additional systems which are used in warehouses to assist the operator to manage certain situations. This equipment can increase the degree of automation of the truck, as well as the performances of the truck and the driver. If you are curious and you want to know more, please contact us!