Detecting forklift operator fatigue with the VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System

Richard Brown
3 min readSep 20, 2021

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Driving a forklift is a demanding job that can all too easily lead to operator fatigue and distraction due to the repetitive nature of the work and the relentless pressure to meet ever tighter fulfilment deadlines. Even a momentary loss of concentration by an operator caused by tiredness or a quick glance at a smartphone can lead to serious consequences such as a collision with a pedestrian who inadvertently steps too close to the vehicle.

To help operators maintain attentiveness while they are behind the wheel, the VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System features a driver monitoring system that issues a voice alert when it detects signs of fatigue through the driver camera. Visual alerts can be delivered using the optional 7” CVBS display, which also provides the forklift operator with people detection alerts as well as live video feeds from the front and rear cameras.

The driver fatigue alert is triggered when an operator yawns, closes their eyes for more than three seconds, or looks down for more than three seconds. By delivering real-time warnings when it detects these telltale signs of drowsiness, the driver monitoring system makes sure that forklift operators remain alert while in charge of the vehicle and reduces the likelihood of an accident occurring due to slow reactions to potential hazards. The system also helps operators to develop a greater awareness of their physical and mental wellbeing and identify possible health issues that they may need to address with management and medical practitioners.

The driver camera comes in a labeled box with the VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System and includes a color-coded cable, black, for easy identification. It is pre-assembled with the L-shaped mounting bracket and includes a strong magnet with two M5*12mm bolts, a piece of double-sided 3M tape, and two M5*25mm Molly bolts to secure the camera to the forklift.

Calibrating the driver camera is fast and easy using the using the VIA Mobile360 WorkX app. Video footage captured can be saved on a Micro SD card for downloading and viewing using the VIA Mobile360 WorkX app.

The VIA Mobile360 Forklift Safety System combines front and rear people detection with driver monitoring to prevent forklift pedestrian accidents and enhance overall safety in the busiest warehouse and industrial environments. To learn more about the system, please click here.

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Richard Brown
Richard Brown

Written by Richard Brown

I live in Taiwan and am interested in exploring what ancient Chinese philosophy can tell us about technology and the rise of modern China.

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