Imagine a busy warehouse where forklift operators scramble to maneuver equipment—inexperienced drivers take turns too quickly, causing loads to teeter precariously, or narrowly avoid tipping incidents when retrieving items from high racks. How can these safety risks be mitigated while improving operational efficiency? Yale Lift Truck Technologies has an answer.
At MODEX 2024, Yale announced the expansion of its Yale Reliant operator assistance solution to 16 additional forklift models, bringing total coverage to 59 models. The technology is now available across a broader range of applications, including retail, e-commerce fulfillment, wholesale distribution, and third-party logistics (3PL). Additionally, Yale introduced a standalone Advanced Dynamic Stability (ADS) feature, a core component of the Yale Reliant system.
"Operator assistance solutions provide immediate value for warehouse operations by supporting less-experienced drivers and reducing accident risks," said Joe Koch, Emerging Technology Sales Manager at Yale. "This includes preventing issues like excessive turning speeds, unstable high-level load retrieval, or rapid mast movements in unsafe positions."
Yale Reliant: Comprehensive Assistance for Safety and Productivity
The Yale Reliant system integrates multiple intelligent features to minimize human error and enhance warehouse safety and efficiency. Key functionalities include:
- Speed Management: Automatically adjusts travel speed based on operational zones and tasks to prevent accidents caused by overspeeding.
- Load Handling Assistance: Monitors load stability in real-time to prevent overloading or imbalance.
- Mast Control: Restricts tilt angles and lift heights to avoid tip-overs during high-level operations.
- Turn Assistance: Reduces speed during turns to prevent load shifts or forklift rollovers.
- Collision Warning: Uses sensors and cameras to detect potential collisions and alerts operators.
These features work together to create a multi-layered safety framework, reducing accident rates while helping new operators master skills faster and improve productivity.
Standalone ADS: Flexible Upgrade Option
The newly available standalone ADS feature offers greater deployment flexibility. The system continuously monitors forklift dynamics—including center of gravity, speed, and steering angle—to automatically adjust stability and prevent tip-overs, even on uneven surfaces.
Users can implement ADS independently or combine it with other Yale Reliant features, allowing cost-effective upgrades and future scalability.
Broad Applications Across Industries
The Yale Reliant solution suits diverse warehouse and logistics environments:
- Retail/E-Commerce Fulfillment: Enhances picking, packing, and shipping efficiency in fast-paced operations.
- Wholesale Distribution: Prevents product damage and improves storage density in high-capacity facilities.
- 3PL Providers: Ensures safe, efficient handling of varied cargo types to boost service quality.
By adopting Yale Reliant, businesses can achieve measurable improvements in safety, efficiency, and operational reliability—key competitive advantages in today's logistics landscape.
The Future: Automation and Intelligence
As artificial intelligence, IoT, and big data technologies advance, forklift assistance systems will evolve toward greater autonomy. Future iterations may include environment perception, automated route planning, and fully unmanned operation.
Yale continues investing in R&D to deliver next-generation solutions that support industry-wide digital transformation.
MODEX 2024 was held March 11–14 at Georgia World Congress Center, showcasing innovations across manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain sectors.