Forklifts play an important role in many industries. It can be seen transporting materials over a construction site, stacking goods in a warehouse, or even used to lift heavy items off the ground or a high shelf. Needless to say, heavy machinery often brings with it a semblance of risk. It is a hazard to just to operators, but to pedestrians. An estimated 80,000 people are injured by a forklift annually.

A.I. to the rescue?

In a bid to minimize this problem, companies have begun investing in automated forklifts and forklifts fitted with A.I. According to reports, the reason for forklift-related accidents are often due to improper operation, such as driving too fast, turning too quickly, braking abruptly, backing up without taking necessary precautions, and driving with an elevated load. 

A company in Texas believes that incorporating an “invisible co-pilot” to their forklifts will greatly reduce the risk of accidents. Much like a car with a reverse sensor, operators will be alerted when there are obstructions. This can prevent collision, regardless of whether it is pedestrians, pallets, buildings, other vehicles, etc.

However, the problem with A.I. is that there are no failsafes. When both driver and software are not collaborating in sync, problems might arise. In the event that the driver relies too heavily on the A.I. and stops taking precautionary measures, one day when the sensors or software malfunctions is the day accidents will ensue.

Are driverless forklifts safer? 

Another option that companies are looking at are automated forklifts. If cars can be driverless, why can’t forklifts? They are essentially a machine on wheels. If this technology is properly executed, it might be able to replace a large portion of forklift operators, especially in huge corporations that have the ability to finance such a change.

It has the potential to remove risk of human casualties, such as a recent freak accident whereby an operator was crushed by the forklift he was operating. Driverless forklifts will bear no risk to operators as they don’t need one. However, will it be able to navigate without a driver? Even driverless cars have this problem, even after years of trying to perfect the technology. Furthemore, forklift operators not only drive the vehicle, they also hook on other equipment, maintain their jitneys, and stick to a schedule. A computer might be programmed with an internal clock and do other tasks that a forklift operator needs to do, they lack the hands to perform the aforementioned tasks.

Aside from that, there’s also the risk of being hacked, especially in large companies. While unlikely, there is a possibility of a rival company sabotaging one’s fleet and causing grievous harm to either the company’s production, or factories.

The ideas behind utilizing technology and replacing personnel might not be as cost-effective as one might think. Again, if the software or hardware that enables the execution of driverless technology fails, it will be a huge liability. Not only will the company have spent a sizable amount of money on the technology, they will also have to do reparations for any forklift accidents that take place.