Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Corporation announces a new solution designed to help promote social distancing measures as businesses reopen, using sensors embedded in tags that buzz when personnel get within six feet of one another. Employees can simply wear the electronic tags on a lanyard, similar to building or equipment access cards, offering a minimally intrusive solution that only makes its presence known when providing a proximity alert.

“From the shop floor to the conference room, businesses are taking action to address health and safety concerns as people get back to work,” says Steven LaFevers, Vice President, Emerging Technology, Hyster Company. “The proximity tag solution is an effective choice to promote social distancing throughout an organization, offering a simple yet effective technology platform at an attractive value. The alert effectively grabs user attention, but remains hushed to avoid fatigue and frustration that might risk employees abandoning the technology.”

The solution uses ultra-wideband technology for tag-to-tag sensing and communication, requiring no additional infrastructure, such as Wi-Fi or cellular network coverage, to function. The devices require a unique, custom sequence to power down, a feature meant to prevent employees from selectively turning off the system to avoid social distancing enforcement.

“The tag-to-tag solution offers a consistent method that takes the burden of requesting safe physical distance in work settings off of the individual,” says Kevin Paramore, Emerging Technology Commercialization Manager, Yale Materials Handling Corporation. “This approach can help businesses build confidence among employees as they return to work, using a simple yet effective technology framework available at a competitive value.”

By buzzing, the proximity tag gets users’ attention without the disruption of an audible alert, making it a suitable choice for the warehouse floor, office settings and more. The tag-to-tag solution can also integrate with the Yale Vision telemetry system and the Hyster Tracker telemetry system, unlocking additional custom functionality and management visibility.

About Hyster Company

Hyster Company is a leading world-wide lift truck designer and manufacturer. Hyster Company offers 130 lift truck models configured for gasoline, LPG, diesel and electric power, with one of the widest capacity ranges in the industry — from 2,000 to 105,000 lbs. Supported by one of the industry’s largest and most experienced dealer networks, Hyster Company builds tough, durable lift trucks that deliver high productivity, low total cost of ownership, easy serviceability and advanced ergonomic features, accompanied by outstanding parts, service and training support.

About Yale Materials Handling Corporation
Yale Materials Handling Corporation markets a full line of materials handling lift truck products and services, including electric, gas, LP-gas and diesel-powered lift trucks; narrow aisle, very narrow aisle and motorized hand trucks. Yale has a comprehensive service offering including Yale Vision wireless asset management, fleet management, Yale service, parts, financing and training. Yale® trucks are manufactured in an ISO 9001:2008 registered facility and range in capacity from 2,000 to 36,000 lbs.

Yale Materials Handling Corporation is a division of Hyster-Yale Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (NYSE:HY).  Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and its subsidiaries, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, employ approximately 7,900 people world-wide. 

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