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Proximity

Collision avoidance systems for forklifts & industrial vehicles


Anti-collision and workplace safety management solutions prevent dangerous situations in places where goods and people are moved

A wide range of anti-collision solutions

UBIQUICOM's anti-collision solutions detect the distance between fixed or moving obstacles to reduce the risk of accidents involving vehicles and workers.

UBIQUICOM’s anti-collision solutions, which can be integrated into materials handling, lifting and earthmoving equipment:

  • implement Safety features for scenarios such as: Machine-Machine, Machine-Pedestrian and Machine-Fixed obstacle
  • can automatically slow down the vehicle and generate an audible and light signal
  • are based on the most modern UWB (Ultra Wideband) or optical technologies, to measure with the maximum accuracy the position and distances between machines, workers and fixed obstacles, recognizing and discriminating actual situations of alert and danger from false alarms
  • can be used in a wide range of vehicles and application scenarios
  • are quick to install, thanks to a compact architecture and an intuitive setup
advanced anti-collision protection for industrial vehicles and forklifts

 

Watch how our solutions can protect workers and vehicles in your company

 

A comprehensive modular system with anti-collision solutions

UBIQUICOM's anti-collision and safety management solutions calculate the distance between stationary and moving obstacles to reduce the risk of accidents involving workers and vehicles.

PROXIMITY SMART

For simple environments with few vehicles and pedestrians
Perimeter System
Collision prevention with distance calculation
Compatible with most material handling vehicles
Quick and easy installation

PROXIMITY SMART

The anti-collision system for forklifts and industrial vehicles, designed to ensure the safety of personnel in warehouses and manufacturing environments.

PROXIMITY SMART is an anti-collision and safety management system for work environments, designed to prevent dangerous situations in warehouses, production factories and corporate sites and, in general, in the places in which goods handling vehicles operate, based on the use of UWB (Ultra wideband) technology, which is currently used in the implementation of real-time location systems with an extremely high precision.

By exploiting the potentials of this technology, PROXIMITY SMART is able to measure up to 10 times a second the distance between forklift trucks or, depending on the specific needs, between vehicles and pedestrians.

The distance measurements, which are carried out by means of radar devices fitted on the vehicle and tags assigned to the personnel, enable dangerous situations to be identified and to actuate - also automatically - actions which help to prevent collisions, avoid damage, protect and safeguard the health and safety of the workforce.

PROXIMITY SMART

Simple and efficient collision avoidance

Hardware Proximity Smart: Radar UWB e Tag per personale

 

The PROXIMITY SMART system is easy to install and configure, and allows you to set your own warning and alarm thresholds.

PROXIMITY SMART enables automatic vehicle deceleration, emergency braking, and obstacle detection.

PROXIMITY SMART

How does the collision avoidance system work?

The high precision measurement of the distance (±20 centimetres), with a high frequency and wide range (25 metres) is carried out by means of a UWB radar device installed on the vehicles and tags assigned to the personnel. This allows two different intervention thresholds to be managed at two different minimum distance values between vehicles, or between vehicle and operator.

When the first “alert threshold” set up is exceeded, this activates a signal on the vehicle and the consequent management of an alert (for example, the switching ON of a danger warning light). At the same time, any tags assigned to the personnel also warn the user of the imminent danger by means of a vibration and/or an acoustic signal.

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If the distance should further drop below the “alarm threshold” set up, PROXIMITY SMART sends electric signals to the relative vehicles, allowing actions to be performed such as the slowing down of the vehicle or further audio or visual warnings. At the same time, the operator who is in the dangerous area is also warned by audio or continuous vibrations.

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PROXIMITY THIRD EYE

The most advanced anti-collision system maximizes workplace safety and minimizes false alarms. Even in the case of blind spots.

The THIRD EYE is the most advanced anti-collision solution in the PROXIMITY range. It can determine the exact position of obstacles, industrial vehicles, and personnel. It can also integrate this information with the vehicle’s speed and trajectory.
The THIRD EYE system provides a comprehensive and accurate view of potential hazards around the vehicle. In a production setting, it minimizes "false alarms" because hazard alerts are triggered only for objects that are actually on a collision course. The warning and alarm zones adapt to the vehicle's actual movement and path.
Thanks to UWB AoA (Angle of Arrival) technology, PROXIMITY THIRD EYE ensures high-precision localization and efficient operation, meeting key workplace safety requirements.

BENEFITS

Advanced blind-spot protection with minimal false alarms

Machine-to-machine collision avoidance

PROXIMTY THIRD EYE, installed on moving vehicles, generates audible and visual alarms when another vehicle enters the warning and alarm zones, and also enables the automatic implementation of countermeasures (e.g., automatic deceleration of both vehicles).

Adjusting the shape and size of the control zones around the vehicle based on its trajectory allows only real hazards to be detected. For example, it alerts the driver to a vehicle hidden in a blind spot or one that is approaching, while ignoring those behind or moving away.

The operator knows the exact position of the obstacle, thanks to the option of having an in-vehicle terminal that displays the position of obstacles and the collision risk assessment in real time.

 

 

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Machine-to-Pedestrian collision avoidance

The PROXIMTY THIRD EYE radars, installed on vehicles, and the personal tags worn by personnel trigger audible and visual alarms on the vehicle, as well as audible (buzzer), visual (LED), and mechanical (vibration) alarms on the personal tags worn.

The innovative technology of THIRD EYE, combined with its configurable logic, allows different countermeasures to be implemented on the vehicle, depending on whether the person tag is in front of, behind, or to the side of the vehicle, moving away, moving parallel to the direction of travel, or behind a blind spot.

The system protects operators and pedestrians from the risk of collision with vehicles and alerts personnel on foot and in the vehicle in the event of hazardous situations caused by close proximity.

 

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PROXIMITY THIRD EYE

A flexible anti-collision system suitable for any vehicle and any environment

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The system includes a set of PROXIMITY THIRD EYE radars mounted on the vehicle, the UWB control unit, a personal tag for each operator, and a Self-Check station* to verify—at the entrance to the work area—that each operator has a fully charged and operational device with them.

The use of multiple THIRD EYE radars ensures optimal performance even on large vehicles with complex mechanical characteristics: excavators, tractors, bulldozers, and other construction machinery.

Also ideal for mixed fleets and challenging environments.

On board the vehicle, the operator views the position of surrounding obstacles via the Vehicle Terminal*. The Vehicle Terminal can be integrated with other UBIQUICOM solutions.

Flexible anti-collision system suitable for any vehicle and any environment, even in the presence of blind spots

*Optional

PROXIMITY THIRD EYE

Use cases and applications

PROXIMITY THIRD EYE is a modular and flexible system designed to meet the security needs of various industrial sectors: Logistics, Manufacturing, Steel, Mining, Aviation, Construction, Agriculture.

It can be easily installed on a wide range of industrial vehicles*.

*The number of nodes is indicative and depends on the actual dimensions and use of the vehicle

List of industrial vehicles supported by our anti-collision system: Telescopic lift truck, Dumper, Spotter truck, Wrecking ball, Forklift, Aerial platform, Excavator, Crane, Concrete pump truck, Wheel loader, Swap body transporter, Agricultural tractor.

Additional applications of Ubiquicom's anti-collision solutions

UBIQUICOM's anti-collision solutions provide comprehensive protection for vehicles, machinery, and personnel.

These devices can be installed on a wide range of vehicles and machinery, ensuring safety and operational efficiency.

More industrial machineries supported by our anti-collision system: Overhead crane, Robots, Machinery, AGV - Follow me, Mixed fleets.

Additional features of the PROXIMITY product line

PROXIMITY SMART and THIRD EYE offer a range of advanced features designed to ensure the highest level of security for people, vehicles, assets, and infrastructure, even when used in combination with other solutions from UBIQUICOM’s Safety portfolio.
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“Opposite side” Protection
In case of operations involving shelving and vertical storage systems.
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Zoning

Speed reduction and control of vehicles, in static and dynamic modes, based on contextual conditions such as traffic, the number of operators, etc.

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Rules on time slots

Customizable rules for defining time slots associated with different risk profiles, such as daytime vs. nighttime

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Man down

Man-down function for worker safety and rapid response in the event of illness or danger.

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Collision & Accident Monitoring System

Collision and accident detection, which places the vehicle in limited-operation mode until it is unlocked by the Master Badge holder.

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Heat Map and Near Miss
Immediate display of areas with the highest concentration of near-misses, making it easier to identify critical points and plan targeted improvement actions.
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FAQ

FAQs about collision avoidance systems for industrial material handling vehicles and pedestrians

Is it possible to add location tracking to the collision-avoidance system?

Yes. If there is also a need to track the location and movements of material handling vehicles in a warehouse, or in any other indoor or outdoor environment, the solutions from the PROXIMITY range can be integrated with TrackVision, the solution for locating industrial vehicles. You can obtain the geolocation of forklifts (GPS) and real-time tracking of vehicles inside the warehouse using RTLS technology, which includes, in addition to GPS, various position-tracking systems.

How can you minimize the risks associated with having a moving vehicle in a production environment?

PROXIMITY THIRD EYE is designed to simultaneously deliver the highest levels of Safety and Efficiency, thanks to AOA technology and dynamic trajectory calculation: tangible results include improved collision and accident prevention, while alarms are triggered only when there is a real risk of collision. PROXIMITY THIRD EYE is suitable for all types of vehicles, from industrial and logistics vehicles to heavy machinery, and is the ideal solution for all complex environments where there is a higher risk of accidents or collisions between vehicles, pedestrians, and fixed obstacles.

What are the anti-collision solutions in Ubiquicom’s Proximity product line, and how do they prevent accidents? Proximity is Ubiquicom’s family of anti-collision solutions designed to prevent accidents between forklifts and pedestrians in industrial settings. Proximity Smart and Proximity Third Eye use UWB (Ultra-Wideband) or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology to detect the presence of people or other vehicles in the immediate vicinity of a moving forklift. When a hazardous situation is detected, the system immediately activates visual and audible alarms on both the forklift and the badge or device worn by the pedestrian, and depending on the configuration, it can automatically reduce the vehicle’s speed or stop its movement.
How are alarms handled by the Proximity Smart and Proximity Third Eye collision avoidance solutions? Le soluzioni Proximity Smart e Proximity Third Eye gestiscono gli allarmi su due livelli principali: a bordo veicolo, tramite un'unità di avviso con segnale luminoso (LED lampeggiante) e acustico (buzzer) visibile e udibile dall'operatore anche in condizioni di rumore ambientale elevato; e sul dispositivo indossato dal pedone (tag), che vibra, emette suoni e illumina un LED di allarme per avvisare il lavoratore dell'avvicinarsi di un veicolo. In configurazioni avanzate, il sistema può trasmettere gli alert anche alla centrale operativa e registrare tutti gli eventi di allarme nella piattaforma BlueBox o nel sistema di gestione sicurezza per l'analisi statistica.
Can Proximity solutions automatically slow or stop a forklift when a pedestrian is too close? Yes, Proximity solutions can be configured to interface with the forklift's vehicle control system to automatically reduce speed or stop the vehicle when a pedestrian enters a critical proximity zone. This automated vehicle response adds a critical layer of protection beyond alert-only systems, acting even when an operator fails to react to a warning. The integration with vehicle control systems is facilitated by Ubiquicom's ZAPI GROUP connection, which provides deep hardware-level integration capabilities with many forklift makes and models.
What blind spots does Poximity Third Eye address on a forklift? Forklifts have several inherent visibility limitations that Proximity Third Eye is designed to address. The mast and forks block the forward lower field of view, particularly when the load is raised. Rear visibility is limited when reversing, which is common in many picking operations. Side visibility can be obstructed in narrow aisles. Carrying tall or wide loads further compounds all of these blind spots. Proximity Third Eye deploys sensors at strategic positions on the vehicle to monitor these blind areas and provide the operator with continuous awareness information through onboard display and alert signals.
In which operational scenarios is Proximity Third Eye most effective? Proximity Third Eye delivers maximum safety value in scenarios where operator visibility is most compromised. These include narrow aisle operations where lateral visibility is restricted, high-rack picking where mast height obscures the forward view, outdoor or dock operations where reversing into traffic areas is common, facilities with high pedestrian density near forklift routes, and low-light environments such as cold storage areas or early-morning shift operations. It is also particularly valuable in facilities where operators are new or rotating across different vehicle types, as it provides a consistent safety layer regardless of individual driver experience.
How does Proximity Third Eye complement other Ubiquicom safety products? Third Eye is designed to work alongside other Ubiquicom safety solutions as part of a layered safety strategy. Proximity Smart and Proximity Plus use UWB radio to detect the distance between tagged pedestrians and vehicles, providing system-level alerts that are independent of the driver. Third Eye operates at the vehicle level, extending what the operator can directly perceive. Together, they provide complementary protection: Proximity ensures that pedestrians are detected even when they are not visible to the operator, while Third Eye extends operator awareness to untagged obstacles and hazards beyond UWB coverage areas.
What sensor technology does Proximity Third Eye use to detect obstacles? Proximity Third Eye uses a combination of sensors to detect obstacles and people in the vehicle's blind zones. The sensor suite is designed to perform reliably in industrial environments with variable lighting, dust, and humidity. Sensors are positioned to cover the specific blind areas identified for each vehicle type and operational context. The system processes sensor inputs in real time and applies detection logic to differentiate between relevant hazards and irrelevant environmental features, minimizing false alarms while maintaining high detection sensitivity for genuine risks
Which types of forklifts and vehicles can use Proximity Third Eye? Proximity Third Eye can be installed on a wide range of industrial vehicles including counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, turret trucks, and other electric or gas-powered material handling equipment. The sensor positioning is adapted to each vehicle type to ensure optimal coverage of the specific blind spots associated with that vehicle's structure and typical operating modes. Ubiquicom provides installation support and configuration guidance to ensure Proximity  Third Eye is properly tailored to each vehicle model in the customer's fleet.
What are the main business benefits of deploying Proximity Third Eye? Proximity Third Eye delivers business benefits through accident prevention, operator confidence improvement, and liability reduction. By reducing blind-spot-related incidents, it decreases the direct costs of accidents including vehicle and infrastructure repairs, injury-related costs, operational downtime, and regulatory penalties. Improved operator visibility also increases work speed and confidence, reducing hesitation-related productivity losses in visibility-constrained environments. From a liability standpoint, demonstrating investment in active blind-spot mitigation technology supports a strong safety culture and helps organizations meet duty-of-care obligations under workplace safety regulations.
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