Follow-Me / Hold-to-Run: active safety and smart control for mobile machinery and industrial vehicles

Intelligent automation, precise positioning, and active safety: an advanced solution that allows the industrial machine to follow the operator, improving productivity, comfort, and safety.

What is the Follow-Me / Hold-to-Run function for mobile, automated, and AGV machines, and how does it work?

The Follow-Me (Hold-to-Run) function is an advanced technology that allows a work machine to move in a controlled manner while following the operator on the ground. The system can be used in industrial and logistics sectors to improve productivity and ensure operator safety.

Thanks to the use of wearable tags with smart remote control functionality, the on-board system:

detects the specific operator
identifies their position, distance, and direction
activates or stops the machine’s movement in real time.

The result is continuous, safe, and intuitive control, without the need to operate from the driver’s cab.

The solution is based on a combination of advanced technologies.

Main components:

Vehicle device (PROXIMITY THIRD EYE technology)

installed on the vehicle, tracks the operator

Personal wearable tag worn by the operator, serves as:

unique identifier
remote control (Hold-to-Run)

ubiquicom -Tag

Technical features

High-precision Ultra Wide Band (UWB)
CAN bus interface
Secure operator-machine pairing

Hold-to-Run principle: safety always active

Operation is based on a fundamental principle: the machine moves only if the operator keeps the control active. If the control is released, the vehicle stops immediately.

This mechanism eliminates:

unintended movements
loss of control
dangerous situations

Typical Follow-Me applications for construction machinery and industrial vehicles

Examples of industrial sectors and typical applications

The system is ideal for continuous manual and operational tasks, including:

installation of electric fences
management of pastures and paddocks
material collection
agricultural harvesting
logistics operations in the field or on construction sites
urban waste collection

All situations where frequent movement of the machine is required.

On which vehicles and industrial mobile machines can the Follow-Me system be installed?

Ubiquicom’s Follow-Me feature can be installed on various types of industrial vehicles or machinery with different functions and sizes. From small self-propelled machines such as small transporters to large driver-operated vehicles such as agricultural tractors.

This includes AGVs, pallet jacks, tractors, flatbeds, and airport tractors.

benefits

Adopting the Follow-Me feature delivers tangible benefits

Dramatic reduction in accidents
Elimination of risks associated with frequent getting on and off vehicles
Reduced exposure to hazardous areas
Protection of the ground operator

Reduction in operating costs
Optimization of working time
Better utilization of human resources (only one operator required)
Reduction in operational fatigue (fewer times getting on and off the vehicle)

Advanced safety features of the Follow-Me system

Advanced safety with sensor fusion

The Follow-Me system can be integrated with additional safety technologies:

Anti-collision: obstacle detection in any condition
Cameras: environmental perception and object classification
Proximity sensors (LIDAR, ETC): protection in nearby areas

Precise control and operator-machine relationship

Thanks to UWB technology, the system guarantees

Extremely accurate distance and angle
Clear and unambiguous operator-vehicle relationship
Dynamic control of machine behavior

This allows for superior safety compared to traditional systems.

Toward a new era of operational safety

The Follow-Me function represents an evolution in operational safety:

from passive systems → to active and intelligent safety

from manual operations → to automated assistance

from human risk → to continuous and verified control

It is a concrete step toward the digitalization and safe automation of construction machinery.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the Follow-Me / Hold-to-Run solution

What is the Hold-to-Run feature?

It is a safety system that allows operating machinery to move only when the operator keeps a control active.

Is Follow-Me an ADAS system?

Yes, it is part of the ADAS systems for working machines because it assists the operator by improving safety and efficiency.

What risks does Follow-Me help reduce?

Reduces injuries caused by involuntary movements and getting on and off the vehicle.

How does Hold-to-Run work?

The pedestrian operator uses a dedicated device that allows the vehicle to recognize, locate, and follow them in a controlled manner.

What technology does the Follow-Me system use? The system uses UWB technology.

What are the benefits of using the Follow-Me system? The use of the Follow-Me system reduces repetitive tasks, increases safety and productivity, and improves human-machine interaction.