Stuttgart, Germany. It is often difficult to find free space in the warehouse. Forklift drivers constantly have to maneuver in tight spaces between racks and stacked pallets. This leads to accidents that result in damage to goods or forklifts, material losses and even accidents. But a much worse consequence than material damage is accidents. According to a study by the German Association for Employers’ Liability Insurance in Trade, Shipping and Logistics (BGHW), injuries are most likely to occur when a forklift is reversing in a space of 1 to 3 meters. In Germany alone, according to official statistics, the number of accidents involving forklift trucks reaches 12 thousand per year (source: WEKA). “Since the driver’s view of the forklift truck is incomplete, the Bosch multi-camera system comes to the rescue,” says Andrew Allen, head of the Trucks and SUVs division at Bosch. For the first time, the system will be publicly presented at the LogiMAT exhibition.
Full picture of what is happening
Thanks to the Vision Enhancement System, the multi-camera system provides a 360-degree view around the forklift, even if it is carrying bulky loads. This greatly simplifies the task of gripping and moving loads in confined spaces. The system helps the forklift maneuver and more accurately estimate the distance in motion. In this way, drivers can complete logistics tasks easier, more efficiently and safer.
The multi-camera system consists of a control unit and four short-range compact cameras. Working together, they capture 8×8 meters of space. The cameras were originally developed for the Bosch passenger car segment, but have since been adapted to meet the specific needs of the logistics market.
Cameras provide a complete view around the forklift
Cameras are located at the front, back and on each side of the forklift truck. With a viewing angle of about 190 °, they capture the entire vehicle environment. Drivers see on the display a realistic image of their vehicle in the form of a detailed 3D model. When the forklift is moving, the display adjusts the environment in real time. The manufacturer can pre-configure the screen to display single views or 360-degree views, as well as set up full or multi-screen display modes. Depending on the task at hand, the driver can choose the best view from the preprogrammed options.
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