Many advanced systems were developed for forklift applications such as rear combination lights for improved protection and reliability, traction & brake control (TBC), system of active stability™ (SAS). In 1999, The Toyota SAS was first introduced on the 7-series. It is an electronic controlled system, which automatically observe and controls over 3000 key forklift functions, which senses instability and then instantly engages the swing lock cylinder to help reduce the risk of lateral tip-overs. | International Conference on Smart Manufacturing Application April. 9-11 2008 in KINTEX Gyeonggi-do Korea Development of an Observe-By-Wire System for Forklifts Using Haptic Interfaces Ba Hai Nguyen1 and Jee-Hwan Ryu2 1School of Mechanical Engineering Korea University of Technology and Education Cheonan Korea E-mail bmnhy2003@ 2School of Mechanical Engineering Korea University of Technology and Education Cheonan Korea Tel 82-41-560-1250 E-mail jhryu@ Abstract This paper proposes a new concept of a haptic user interface for forklifts. The haptic interface is developed including valuable features and we named it Observe-By-Wire OBW which can give operators maximum visibility for safe operation. Particularly the use of an OBW can help human to overcome the problems related to the blind spots caused by the mast configuration of forklifts. The OBW transmits distance information between forks and obstacles to operator in term of force feedback information. It is expected to be useful in emergency cases such as moving large boxes lack of illumination in warehouses. We have created an OBW system modeled the fork and its operations. Experiments were carried out with a group of seven subjects. The experimental results indicated that the OBW system can improve the visibility and operating performance of forklift s drivers. In particular The OBW could give a haptic-based interaction channel between the drivers and vehicles regardless to the height of masts as well as intensity of illumination. Keywords Observe-by-wire haptic interface visibility forklift mast forklift steer-by-wire human factors. 1. INTRODUCTION Many advanced systems were developed for forklift applications such as rear combination lights for improved protection and reliability traction brake control TBC system of active stability SAS . In 1999 The Toyota SAS was first introduced on the 7-series. It is an electronic controlled system which automatically observe and controls over 3000 key .
