ELOKON @ Amazon logistics center
ELOprotect keeps workers safe in very narrow aisles
Amazon deployed our ELOprotect vehicle-pedestrian safety system at a major logistics center in Bavaria, Germany. With six warehouses—covering an area equal to 17 football fields—the distribution complex is one of Europe’s largest. ELOprotect PSS was installed on 25 Crown high-level order pickers, which is specifically designed for very narrow aisles (VNA) by the end of August 2016.
The Project at a glance
25
VNA forklift trucks
6
warehouses covering an area equal to 17 football fields
Very narrow aisles
were made safer with ELOprotect PSS
Individual
solution tailored to Amazon's requirements
The Background
Large warehouse requires high level of safety
Two keys to Amazon’s phenomenal success are its enormous product range and amazing speed of order fulfillment. In Amazon’s Bavarian warehouse, VNA lift trucks from U.S.-based Crown Equipment move a wide assortment of merchandise in and out of high shelves in very narrow aisles. In these busy, tight spaces, the risk of accidents is taken very seriously. Avoiding collisions is essential. And that’s where ELOprotect PSS comes in.
The Solution
ELOprotect PSS protects against accidents
The proven ELOKON safety system ELOprotect uses intelligent laser technology to help prevent accidents in warehouses by slowing down forklifts when people are detected. With ELOprotect PSS, which is specifically designed to prevent accidents between narrow aisle vehicles and pedestrians, the vehicles are equipped with laser scanners that continuously scan the narrow aisle. In the case of Amazon forklifts, this is primarily the area in front of the vehicle, as Amazon's aisles form a one-way system and the forklifts only move in one direction.
How it works
Automatic braking
As soon as the forklift enters one of the narrow aisles, ELOprotect PSS is activated: If an unauthorized person is in the narrow aisle and a vehicle is moving toward that person, it is automatically slowed down when it reaches a scanner field up to 23 ft/ 7 m long. In addition, the driver is alerted to this dangerous situation by visual and acoustic signals on his display and control module.
Implementation in less than 6 months
The entire project—from application analysis to factory installation on the lift trucks—took less than six months. To meet Amazon’s strict delivery deadline, we had to meet Crown’s engineering requirements and integrate our system on the trucks at the OEM’s factory. We are proud that these lift trucks carried their first loads down Amazon’s aisles on schedule and on budget.
For a project of this size and complexity, the schedule was a challenge, even for ELOKON. But then, Amazon is famous for speed of delivery!
Close cooperation with Amazon and Crown
One key to project success was our ability to work closely with Crown to tailor the system to Amazon’s specifications. For example, to augment ELOprotect PSS, Amazon wanted the system to prevent unauthorized reverse motion. Reverse travel represented a particular hazard in Amazon’s VNA environment.
Through close cooperation with Crown, we achieved the objective. We also trained and supported Crown technicians on the installation, deployment and use of the system.
More information
Want to learn more about ELOprotect?
We’d be glad to give you additional information about our award-winning mobile personnel protection system for VNA lift trucks.
