Australian pallet maker Loscam has introduced a new GPS-based system to improve the safety of its forklift vehicles.

The technology, known as GPS Zone Switch, involves fitting each vehicle with a GPS module, which signals its location within the firm’s facilities.

Zone boundaries, or ‘Geofences’, are then set up via a web interface, such as Google Maps. When the system detects a truck entering a hazardous area, it automatically slows the speed of the truck. The settings are stored on a server that uses wireless technology to monitor the forklifts’ speed as they move around.

Peter Burgess, Loscam’s National Operations Manager, says the system will improve safety dramatically.

“We wanted to slow fork trucks in areas close to pedestrian traffic and speed up in areas where it was safer to do so to maintain operational efficiencies,” he said.

Whenever the module cannot obtain a GPS location, the switch defaults to the low speed. And a further safety measure prevents trucks from starting if the seatbelt is not engaged.

The GPS-enabled forklift will be on display at the Supply Chain 2020 exhibition in Melbourne.