What is the ProximityAssist System?
The ProximityAssist system is a driver-assistance technology that helps prevent collisions by detecting nearby objects or people and issuing a warning or automatically taking action to slow down or stop the vehicle.
This technology is used in various contexts, from industrial vehicles like forklifts to automobiles and even video games.
This technology uses sensors such as LiDAR, radar, or UWB to measure distance and speed, allowing it to proactively warn the driver or intervene to avoid accidents.
Application in Crown Forklifts
In May 2025, Crown Equipment Corporation launched a new operator-assistance feature aimed at reducing forklift collisions and reinforcing operator training.
Called the ProximityAssist System, this LiDAR-based technology automatically detects objects in the forklift’s anticipated path of travel and responds by slowing the vehicle, giving the operator crucial reaction time and providing sensor feedback to avoid an incident.
The system is currently available on select new Crown forklift models, including high-reach trucks, order pickers, and stand-up counterbalanced trucks, and can also be retrofitted on some turret trucks, tuggers, and automated pallet trucks.
“ProximityAssist can be a useful tool to reinforce training and increase operator awareness,” said Jared Green, Global Sales Director for Automation and Emerging Technologies at Crown Equipment. “It’s important to note that this type of detection and warning system does not remove the responsibility of the operator and pedestrians to be aware of each other and maintain a safe work environment. Operators must be fully trained and capable of operating the forklift safely, with or without the assistance feature.”
What Makes Crown’s ProximityAssist Different
The key differentiator of Crown’s ProximityAssist System is its ability to integrate with the forklift’s steering and travel systems to automatically adjust the sensor’s field of view in real-time.
This dynamic field of view automatically adjusts based on the direction of travel and speed to focus detection on the most likely path of travel, making it more effective than static systems that only monitor a fixed area.
The system uses LiDAR sensors housed in ruggedized steel to protect them from damage in the workplace.
Mounted low to the ground, they are designed to detect objects like racks, pallets, boxes, and other low-to-the-ground obstacles, especially when traveling in the direction of the power unit.
The goal is to provide actionable awareness without compromising the operator’s controllability or overwhelming them with distractions.
Forklifts equipped with Crown’s 7-inch InfoLink® Touchscreen or the 7-inch Gena® Operating System touchscreen will also provide visual and audible alerts upon object detection, further enhancing situational awareness.
Why Forklift Safety Features are Important
The introduction of new assistance technologies like Crown’s ProximityAssist comes at a time when forklift safety remains a top concern across many industries.
According to OSHA, forklift-related accidents cause approximately 85 fatalities and over 34,000 serious injuries annually in the United States alone. One in four accidents involves a pedestrian being struck by a forklift—often due to blind spots, congested aisles, or a lack of warnings. The National Safety Council also reported that in 2023, there were 24,960 non-fatal injuries requiring days away from work that were caused by forklifts.
Many of these incidents occur in warehouse and manufacturing environments where forklifts and pedestrians must coexist in close proximity.
In this context, adopting systems that both assist the operator and enhance existing training becomes increasingly critical.
ProximityAssist is not intended to replace fundamental safety principles but to reinforce them.
ProximityAssist system is Designed for Seamless Integration on Crown Forklifts
Crown emphasizes that ProximityAssist is not a one-size-fits-all add-on solution.
Instead, it is designed and configured for each specific forklift model, ensuring it is synchronized with the vehicle’s steering, travel, and controls.
This model-specific integration enhances detection accuracy and operator confidence.
“Our design, engineering, and integration process is what sets ProximityAssist apart from other operator assistance systems, creating reliable performance to increase user adoption and build operator trust” Green added.
The combination of smart sensor placement, adaptive software, and seamless touchscreen alerts makes ProximityAssist a compelling safety enhancement for both new and existing Crown customers.
To learn more about this technology and how it fits into Crown’s broader innovation and safety strategy, contact us – Nhat Lo Phat 168 – The exclusive distributor of Crown forklifts in Vietnam, hotline: 090.345.1688.
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