Sky-Trax Lift Truck Tracking Brings GPS Indoors

Sky-Trax Inc., New Castle, Del. has introduced Sky-Trax Local Positioning System, which tracks lift trucks inside buildings.

Sky-Trax LPS collects each vehicle’s location automatically in real time and transmits it to managers, operators and computerized systems. Sky-Trax LPS determines vehicle location to an accuracy of a few inches even over large open areas, transmits location data to the user’s computer when a parcel is picked or put away. The system is compatible with bar code and RFID systems and can readily integrate with installed business systems.
Sky-Trax LPS provides position information similar to a GPS receiver, but works indoors. According to David Emanuel, VP of Technology, Sky-Trax technology is based on optical components instead of radio wave technology so the system is immune to radio interference and not affected by building steel or concrete. As a result, Sky-Trax LPS can be deployed in warehouses where radio-based navigation systems would be unreliable. Emanuel says the product solves a long-standing industry problem for tracking the location of materials and resources in open warehouses and unstructured bulk storage areas.
A small sensor package mounts on the lift truck and contains imaging and computing components that calculate vehicle position and directional heading. Sky-Trax LPS incorporates the patent-pending Sky-MarX Position Reference System, a sturdy, lightweight net to which optical position markers are attached. A standard Wi-Fi radio link transmits data between the lift truck and the host computer. An optional touch-screen terminal can show the lift truck location on a map and indicate the direction and distance to the next pick or place assignment. Several display options are offered to suit application requirements, ergonomic preferences and management needs. Sky-Trax can provide software to install, operate, and integrate the LPS product with business systems.
For more information, visit www.Sky-Trax.com.