Smart technology is leading to increased productivity and safety for workers across several industries including agriculture, construction, lawn care, and warehousing. With the addition of autonomy, workers are able to focus on higher-valued tasks instead of the 3Ds - dull, dirty, and dangerous.
Though machines are “smarter,” there are still dangers that exist with onsite production. As artificial intelligence develops, it is still necessary for people to stay in the loop and have the ability to intervene or take control of a machine at a moment’s notice. With FORT’s Safe Remote Control (SRC), complex worksites are able to take advantage of automation while keeping humans safe and in control.
Here are some of the applications for Safe Remote Control across different industries:
- Increase Forklift Safety in Warehouses: Proper deployment of robots is critical for warehouse operations to increase productivity while ensuring worker safety. The addition of the wireless SRC gives forklift operators the ability to operate the machine from a safe distance. With more visibility and mobility, operators can direct a forklift to handle the hazardous and daily heavy lifting. Having a Safe Remote Control available also ensures that operators can intervene in the event of an emergency or if the forklift has trouble navigating a tight space independently.
- Handle the Heavy Lifting in Construction: Worker injuries are common in the construction industry. Using heavy equipment to assist with tasks like excavating or moving a pallet of bricks can reduce physical labor, but operating the machinery is also hard on the body. In fact, several studies have shown that operating engineers are more susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries - primarily neck, back, and shoulder - than non-operators. Automation that removes the operator from the cab is a great advancement, however it is critical for the trained operator to maintain constant control over the dangerous machine. Integrating the FORT Safe Remote Control in heavy equipment gives personnel manual machine control with a built-in E-stop for quick intervention when necessary.
- Combat the Labor Shortage in Agriculture: The world of agriculture is embracing autonomous machines as a fresh approach to old problems. With the SRC, managers can take temporary control of an autonomous vehicle and then release it back to autonomous mode. One remote can be configured to operate up to 10 different machines, allowing a single person to manage a field full of autonomous machinery.
- Revitalizing Lawn Maintenance: From landscape surveillance to computer-crafted designs, smart technology is making lawn care easier for commercial landscapers. With a projected market growth rate of 7.4% by 2027, autonomous landscaping is a rapidly advancing area. But commercial mowers can be dangerous. When they are operating in real world environments, safety is crucial. The SRC allows operators to manage autonomous mowers with added peace of mind, knowing they can stop a mower immediately if needed.
Safety First, Safety Always
Whether it’s the completion of a freshly manicured lawn or the proper loading and transfer of products in a warehouse, autonomous safety should always be a priority. In 2020 alone there were 2.7 million reported nonfatal workplace injuries resulting in an economic cost of 163.9 billion. Smart technology exists as a pressure reliever from risks and products like the Safe Remote Control can add to safety measures companies have in place. Making the workplace safe and injury-free in labor-intensive jobs can seem like a daunting task but it is possible and is a reality we are getting closer to every day.
To learn more about FORT Safe Remote Control functions and availability visit the product page.