Forklift Pedestrian Detection Systems and Why I Chose Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol
- John Buttery
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Three technologies are solving the most urgent EHS challenges in industrial environments.
I have spent much of my career working in industrial safety, autonomous technology, and mobile equipment solutions across North America. During that time, many companies have approached me to represent their technology. I welcome these conversations because new ideas move the EHS industry forward. However, choosing technology for a forklift pedestrian detection system differs from selecting accessories or general equipment. A safety device must operate under real-world conditions, across all shifts, in the face of unpredictable pedestrian movement, and without disrupting operations.
After extensive evaluation and field testing, I chose to represent Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol. These companies do not maintain offices or operational teams in the United States, so they rely on partners like Riodatos for customer support, installation guidance, warranty management, and long-term success. I am not an exclusive representative, but I am one of the few people actively supporting their introduction, deployment, and scaling across American industrial environments. These three systems earned a place in my portfolio because each addresses a different aspect of the pedestrian safety challenge.
“A forklift safety system is only effective if it works in your real-world conditions, not just in demos,” according to Riodatos. "That is why we focus on solutions that meet the most demanding operational, safety, and IT expectations."
Choosing a Forklift Pedestrian Detection System That Works Across Departments
A forklift pedestrian detection system affects more than just the safety team. Plant managers focus on reducing risk while minimizing downtime and ensuring the solution can scale across large or mixed fleets. Operations teams want systems that fit current workflows, require minimal retraining, and do not interfere with productivity.
IT teams expect cybersecurity safe design. They prefer systems that use local processing, require no WiFi connection, have no internet dependency, and avoid external data transmission. Safety leaders need accurate pedestrian detection in real lighting, real traffic, and real workflow conditions. They want fewer false alerts, stronger operator acceptance, and tools that support OSHA mitigation plans, behavior improvement, and incident reviews.
Procurement and finance teams expect predictable costs, clear warranties, stocked hardware, and measurable ROI. Installers want hardware that mounts cleanly, wires easily, and fits every forklift type without custom fabrication.
Key expectations often include:
• Local processing with no network load
• Fast installation and minimal operational disruption
• Accurate detection in challenging environments
• Scalable hardware that fits all vehicle types
These expectations shaped the criteria I use when evaluating new technologies. Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol remain aligned with the standards that matter most to industrial facilities.
Why Proxicam Became a Core Forklift Pedestrian Detection System
Proxicam is an AI vision based, tag free pedestrian detection system built for dependable performance and easy installation. It uses advanced edge AI, meaning all processing occurs inside the camera. The system requires no WiFi, no internet connection, and no central processing unit. No data leaves the device, which eliminates cybersecurity concerns and avoids adding load to facility networks.
Proxicam installs in about 90 minutes using included hardware. Detection zones are configured through a mobile app, and the system fits every major forklift brand and model. This supports fast fleet deployment and minimal downtime.
The system focuses on human only detection, reducing false alerts and increasing operator acceptance. It performs reliably in aisles, docks, intersections, and mixed lighting environments, including low light conditions. Operators receive clear visual and audible alerts through a dual camera setup and an in cab LED indicator.
Proxicam also meets procurement expectations with fixed pricing, an included three year warranty, stocked hardware for quick shipping, and local US support through Riodatos. These attributes, combined with proven field performance, placed Proxicam at the top of my list.
More information is available athttps://www.riodatos.com/products/proxicam
Why ZoneSafe Complements Vision Based Forklift Pedestrian Detection Systems
Some facilities need guaranteed proximity alerts that do not depend on camera angles or visibility. This is where ZoneSafe fits. ZoneSafe is a tag based Ultra Wideband system that alerts both the pedestrian and the operator when they come within a programmable distance of each other. It works through racking, shipping containers, pallets, and other obstacles, creating a consistent 360 degree protection field around a moving vehicle.
ZoneSafe is ideal for environments with heavy pedestrian traffic, unpredictable movement, poor visibility, or tight layouts. When tag compliance is realistic, ZoneSafe provides a level of certainty that complements a vision based system.
Proxicam and ZoneSafe do not compete. They solve different parts of the safety equation. Used together, they cover more real world scenarios than either can alone.
Details about ZoneSafe can be found at https://www.riodatos.com/products/zonesafe.
Why inviol Adds Sitewide Intelligence Beyond the Vehicle
A forklift pedestrian detection system only protects the space around the vehicle. Facilities also need visibility into broader safety patterns. inviol provides this through AI powered analytics applied to the CCTV cameras a facility already has.
inviol identifies near misses, risky intersections, pedestrian behavior issues, PPE concerns, restricted zone entries, and long-term traffic patterns that often go unreported. The platform requires no new hardware. It uses existing video feeds to create heat maps, behavioral insights, and coaching tools that help leadership teams address risks before they lead to incidents.
Proxicam and ZoneSafe prevent real-time collision events. inviol helps prevent the conditions that create them.
More information about Inviol is available at https://www.riodatos.com/products/inviol
What I Look for When Evaluating New Forklift Pedestrian Detection Systems
Although my current portfolio includes Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and inviol, I continue to evaluate emerging technologies. Innovation in EHS is constant, and new tools will appear that solve problems in new ways.
When reviewing any forklift pedestrian detection system, I look for proven reliability in working facilities, consistent accuracy across different lighting conditions, clean and repeatable installation, strong engineering, stocked hardware, meaningful technical support, and a long-term commitment from the manufacturer.
I also pay close attention to operator acceptance, ease of configuration, workflow impact, and total cost of ownership. The systems I represent earned their place because they deliver consistently across these expectations.
Closing Perspective
Choosing a forklift pedestrian detection system is a critical safety decision. Proxicam provides accurate tag free detection with simple deployment. ZoneSafe delivers guaranteed proximity control when tags are required. Inviol supplies the sitewide intelligence that ties everything together.
Together, these three systems form a practical and effective safety strategy for organizations that want dependable performance across mixed fleets and diverse environments.
To explore the full range of solutions supported by Riodatos, visit https://www.riodatos.com
“Safety is not just about devices. It is about designing systems that work in sync with real people and real environments,” according to Riodatos. "That is what separates game-changing solutions from shelfware."
Author’s Perspective
I have spent years walking industrial floors and working side by side with operators, safety teams, and plant leaders. I have seen what happens when a detection system does not hold up. False alarms, ignored alerts, frustrated staff, and in the worst cases, preventable injuries. The challenge is not just finding technology. It is finding the right technology that respects operational reality.
That is why I back Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol. These systems were not chosen because of marketing claims. They were chosen because they worked where others did not.
Follow on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwbuttery/
About the Author
John Buttery is a Tucson-based representative for three international safety technology manufacturers: Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol. With more than a decade of experience in industrial safety, autonomous vehicles, and mobile equipment technology, he helps facilities evaluate and deploy advanced forklift pedestrian detection systems that reduce injury risk and strengthen situational awareness.
As the founder of Riodatos, John provides customers with local support, fast shipping, installation guidance, and long term technical success across logistics, manufacturing, cold storage, recycling, lumber, and other high risk industrial environments.
To learn more, visit https://www.riodatos.com
About Riodatos
Riodatos is a United States based distributor of advanced industrial safety technologies, specializing in AI vision systems, UWB proximity warning systems, and CCTV based safety analytics. We provide American facilities with local sales support, fast shipping, installation guidance, warranty handling, and long term technical assistance.
Our focus is simple. Bring proven international safety technologies to the United States and support them with the level of responsiveness, reliability, and customer care that industrial operations expect. Riodatos delivers safety systems built for real environments, real operators, and real operational challenges.
Quick Read Summary
Forklift Pedestrian Detection Systems: Why I Chose Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol
In this article, I explain why I chose to represent Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol for industrial safety environments. Each system solves a different part of the forklift pedestrian safety equation.
What you will learn:
• Why forklift safety is not one size fits all
• How Proxicam delivers accurate tag free AI detection
• Where ZoneSafe’s UWB proximity alerts excel
• How Inviol uses existing CCTV to reveal hidden risk patterns
• The cybersecurity and operational requirements that matter most
• Why procurement, IT, and safety teams support these systems
Read this before choosing your next system.
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#forkliftsafety #pedestriandetection #ehs #visionai #zonesafe #safetyleadership #uwb #manufacturingtech #industrialsafety #proxicam
Meta: If you are evaluating forklift pedestrian detection systems, this deep dive explains why Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol earned a place in my portfolio. This article is written for safety leaders, operations teams, and anyone selecting EHS technologies that must perform in real industrial conditions.
Description: Why Proxicam, ZoneSafe, and Inviol stand out as forklift pedestrian detection systems for facilities focused on safety, scalability, and ROI.
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