Flemish consortium creates a "digital co-pilot" to make every forklift a smart forklift
A consortium made up of Log!Ville Innovation Partner BlooLoc and Flemish companies XYZT.ai, Rezolv (formerly known as Customized) and GTS has recently successfully completed its Smart Forklift project. The R&D project was helmed by VIL, which also ensured that financial backing was provided by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO).
The project saw the four companies working closely together, creating the foundations for a digital co-pilot that can turn any forklift into a smart forklift. What truly sets this co-pilot apart is the fact that it is a retrofit solution. Every forklift can be upgraded with it, instead of having to buy a new vehicle.
The four partners are:
- BlooLoc (which develops location-based solutions),
- XYZT.ai (timebound 3D location data analysis),
- Rezolv (which has created an Odoo-based WMS),
- GTS Group (transport operator and logistics service provider)
Digital co-pilot
The co-pilot that was created in the Smart Forklift project prevents vehicles from colliding and accidents involving staff. It also checks that all safety regulations, such as speed limits and one-directional traffic in a warehouse, are being observed. When that is not the case, the co-pilot intervenes in good time.
It also monitors where pallets are collected and deposited, and notifies the driver when a pallet's movements do not match the WMS order. That means that stock accuracy is guaranteed in full, without the need for barcode scanning.
The co-pilot also records all forklift movements and activities, sending this data to the cloud, where data analytics is used to identify opportunities for process improvements.
The Flemish-created digital co-pilot thus ensures that logistical processes are both safer and more efficient, making it especially useful in times when there is a shortfall of experienced operators.
Free online information session on grants
If you have an innovative idea on how to improve logistics in your company, then let VIL coach you. The Flanders innovation cluster for logistics will also assist you in getting financial support from VLAIO for your R&D project. To find out more, send us an email at projectidee@vil.be.
You can also participate in the free online Grants for Companies information session, which will be held on Friday, 03 March, from 09.00 to 10.00 (on Microsoft Teams). Sign up by sending an email to eddy.hagen@vil.be.
