Industrial Safety & Forklift Proximity Detection FAQs

Whether this is your first time looking into proximity detection for your organization or you’re looking to upgrade your current fleet management system, we have answers to all your questions about ELOKON and its family of intralogistics safety solutions.

What does ELOKON do?

ELOKON designs, manufactures and deploys smart proximity safety and assistance systems for industrial environments. These solutions help improve safety and operational performance through systems like proximity detection, collision warning, and fleet management, as well as design and deploy solutions for machinery safety including innovative new technologies through its Ventures business unit.

What industries does ELOKON serve?

ELOKON supports customers across a wide range of industries where people, vehicles, and machines operate in close proximity. This includes:

  • warehousing and logistics
  • manufacturing
  • production facilities
  • intralogistics operations

Any environment where safety improvements can also drive efficiency and process optimization.

What business units does ELOKON offer solutions for?

ELOKON provides solutions across three main business areas:

  • Material Handling (forklift and pedestrian safety + fleet management)
  • Machinery Safety (safety solutions for industrial machinery and equipment)
  • Ventures (innovation projects and new technology development)

What types of safety solutions does ELOKON offer?

ELOKON solutions focus on preventing incidents and improving visibility into safety risks. Depending on the application, this can include:

  • Vehicle–to-pedestrian proximity detection
  • Vehicle-to-vehicle proximity detection and collision avoidance
  • Vehicle-to-infrastructure detection and collision avoidance
  • Warning and alerting systems
  • Fleet management, monitoring and reporting
  • Machine safety components and safety system support
  • Integrated solutions combining safety + data

What is ELOshieldTM?

ELOshieldTM is ELOKON’s vehicle–to-pedestrian proximity detection system designed to reduce the risk of collisions in busy intralogistics environments. It helps make people and vehicles more aware of each other by triggering warnings when predefined safety distances are breached, supporting safer operations in warehouses and production sites. Learn more about ELOshieldTM.

What is ELOfleetTM?

ELOfleetTM is ELOKON’s fleet management and telematics solution. It helps your company achieve better insight into fleet activity and safety-related events, allowing operations teams to make more informed decisions, improve fleet utilization, and support a continuous improvement approach to safety and performance. Learn more about ELOfleetTM.

What is ELOfusionTM and how is it different from other systems?

ELOfusionTM is ELOKON’s all-in-one solution, combining proximity detection (ELOshieldTM) and fleet management (ELOfleetTM) into one platform. This makes it easier for your company to manage safety technology at scale—while also gaining valuable data to measure results, optimize workflows, and standardize safety processes across locations. Learn more about ELOfusionTM.

Can ELOKON systems be installed on existing forklifts and mixed fleets?

Yes. All ELOKON systems are designed to be retrofitted onto existing industrial trucks, which makes them suitable for mixed fleets and multi-brand operations. This gives your company the flexibility to improve safety without requiring a full fleet replacement.

What types of vehicles can be equipped with ELOKON solutions?

ELOKON solutions are designed for use on:

  • Counterbalance forklifts
  • Reach Fork Trucks
  • Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) Forklifts
  • Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
  • And all other variants of material handling equipment

The exact setup depends on your fleet type, site layout, and safety requirements.

What environments are ELOKON solutions designed to work in?

ELOKON systems are built to work flawlessly in harsh and demanding environments such as:

  • Warehouses - climate controlled and not
  • Loading/unloading areas
  • Manufacturing facilities
  • Production logistics

How do ELOKON systems improve workplace safety?

ELOKON systems help reduce safety risks by increasing employee awareness and enabling preventive action. Depending on your solution, this can include:

  • Warning drivers and pedestrians in critical situations
  • Reducing collision risk in blind spots or intersections
  • Supporting safer behaviors through data and reporting
  • Improving safety culture through measurable insights

The result is a safer environment and a more structured safety process.

Do ELOKON solutions support compliance and safety standards?

Yes. ELOKON solutions are designed to support companies that want to strengthen their safety programs and align with internal safety guidelines and industry requirements. Many customers use ELOKON systems as part of a broader approach to risk reduction, training support, and continuous safety improvement.

What services does ELOKON provide before and after installation?

ELOKON supports your business through the full project lifecycle, including:

  • Consultation and solution planning
  • System rollout and onboarding
  • Support during implementation
  • Ongoing service and technical support

This helps ensure the solution is configured correctly and delivers measurable value in daily operations.

How long does installation take?

Installation timelines depend on the scope of the project; such as fleet size, number of sites, and the chosen solution. ELOKON supports structured implementation planning to minimize downtime and ensure the system can be rolled out efficiently and reliably.

What is ELOKON’s Machinery Safety business unit?

ELOKON’s Machinery Safety business unit focuses on improving safety around industrial machinery and equipment. This includes solutions and expertise that help protect people working near machines, support safe machine operation, and contribute to safer production environments.

What kinds of applications are covered by Machinery Safety?

Machinery Safety solutions are relevant wherever industrial machines create potential hazards; such as manufacturing lines, automated systems, production environments, and machine-operated workflows. ELOKON helps companies reduce risk and build safer processes through suitable safety concepts and technologies.

What is the ELOKON Ventures unit?

ELOKON Ventures is the innovation-focused business unit that explores and develops new technologies, partnerships, and forward-looking safety concepts. It enables ELOKON to test and scale emerging ideas that may become the next generation of safety and efficiency solutions.

Why does ELOKON have a Ventures unit?

Ventures helps ELOKON stay ahead of market needs by identifying opportunities early and developing solutions that address future challenges in industrial safety. It also supports collaboration with partners and accelerates innovation that can benefit customers long-term.

Where can I find brochures, checklists, and product information?

You can find brochures and additional materials in the Downloads section of the website. These resources are here to help you learn more about the ELOKON family of solutions, understand typical use cases, and explore how safety systems can be integrated into existing operations.

How do I contact ELOKON for a consultation or product inquiry?

You can contact ELOKON in several ways on our Contact page. Our team can help you evaluate your use case, recommend a suitable solution, and plan the next steps for implementation and rollout.

Can ELOKON support multi-site or international rollouts?

Yes. ELOKON solutions are often used in environments where customers want to standardize safety processes across multiple sites. The systems and services are designed to support scalable deployment and consistent safety improvements across locations.

What is the difference between Passive Warning Systems and Active Warning Systems?

  • Passive Warning Systems primarily focus on alerting drivers using signs, markings, barriers, fences, etc.
  • Active Warning Systems focus on alerting both drivers and pedestrians with real-time alerting, alarm, and intervention

It’s important to note that neither approach is better than the other. Ultimately, your environment and safety goals will determine which technology should be deployed.

What are the most common causes of forklift accidents in the US?

According to OSHA data released in 2024, the top 5 most common causes of forklift accidents are:

  • Forklift Rollovers or Tip-overs
  • Pedestrian Collisions
  • Falling Loads
  • Personnel Falling from Forks
  • Emissions Poisoning

How do ELOKON’s forklift proximity detection systems work?

ELOKON’s family of forklift proximity detection systems work using several technologies including:

  • Ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless technology to detect, warn and alarm both drivers and pedestrians in real time in our ELOshieldTM family of products
  • Advanced laser technology in our ELOprotectTM product
  • Sophisticated AI camera technology in our ELOvisionTM product

What are the benefits of proximity warning systems by ELOKON?

The benefits of the proximity warning systems developed by ELOKON are:

  • Safer and more efficient material handling
  • Automatic detection of pedestrians near lift trucks
  • Automatic detection of lift trucks near other forklifts or AGVs
  • Customizable detection areas tailored specifically within your site
  • Extended range for maximum protection
  • Protection for any number of employees or vehicles

How can you prevent collisions between workers and forklifts or heavy equipment using wearables?

ELOKON systems deliver audible, visual and haptic warnings to drivers and pedestrians in real time through truck-mounted display modules and pedestrian wearables to prevent collisions between workers and forklifts or other heavy machinery.