Robots, automation and fleet management systems

Ute Filippone, I.D. Systems’ Business Manager EMEA & UK takes a look at the issue of robots versus humans in the MHE sector.

“Will a robot take your job?” has been a talking point for a while now, and a study by researchers at Oxford University and Deloitte stated that about 35% of current jobs in the UK are at high risk of computerisation over the following 20 years. I was relieved to find out, after checking the automation risk of my role on an interactive site, that at 39%, this is “not very likely”.

The statistics concerning forklift truck drivers tell a slightly different story, with the likelihood of automation rated at 48%. Whilst it is true that more and more companies are looking to materials handling automation to improve processes, streamline shipping operations and lower supply chain operating costs, the requirement for living, breathing forklift truck operators will remain. At present it is estimated that there are at least 93,000 working in the UK.

But to err is human, and fleet managers can capitalise on advances in technology – MHE fleet management systems for example, to improve safety by making operators more accountable, monitoring impacts and reducing the likelihood of careless driving.

The temptation to cut corners is, regrettably, also a human trait – take pre-operational checks of the forklift for example. Enforcing and monitoring the process by electronic pre-ops checklists is a much more fool proof method than the old manual paper trail methodology, and leads to fewer accidents and lower MHE repair costs.

I.D. Systems is the pioneer of the electronic pre-ops checklists, where questions can be tailored 100% to the customers’ operational requirements and the type of equipment being used. As well as confirming that the forklift is safe to drive, by an authorised operator, questions such as “Are you wearing appropriate PPE?” can be included to reinforce the message that operating a potentially dangerous piece of equipment is not to be taken lightly.

The randomising of questions further ensures that an operator must actively review the response options prior to confirming the answer. This innovative feature eliminates the risk of operators simply “ticking the box” robot style without reviewing the options first.

Wrong/critical responses by operators can automatically enforce a log-out procedure: they will not be able to use the truck in question and a wireless message will be sent to the head of the workshop informing of its current log-out status.

Intermediate answers on the state of trucks included in I.D. Systems’ products such as its PowerFleet™ multi-functional fleet management system again offer more options than a simple yes/no reply: the possibility to enter a minor warning alert enables prompt post-shift preventative maintenance to be carried out, reducing major future repair or truck breakdown events. So as long as the need for man/woman power remains, the ability to monitor and promote safer behaviour with technology will likewise remain a valuable asset. And if robots did take over, surely we would all miss the human interaction in the workplace? Or would we? I suppose robots don’t have moods…

Tel: 01908 888 250

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