The prototype of the RFID-enabled forklift.

by US correspondent Roger Renstrom
Cascade Corp and Intermec Inc are working with US software and technology providers to create an integrated radio frequency identification (RFID) system for forklifts.

The two principals, along with Cisco Systems Inc and RedPrairie Corp, aim to integrate a mobile computer into any forklift's structure without having the hardware look like a bolted, taped or wired add-on.

Cascade product manager Brad Vandehey said the Portland-based firm focused on two concepts, an RFID-enabled load backrest applicable to any forklift platform and an RFID-enabled carton-clamp-force solution for pallet-less warehouse handling of boxes.

Intermec, of Everett, Washington, supplies second-generation RFID technology, known as Gen 2, and related equipment including computers. Intermec has experience with barcode technology that RFID may replace.

A unified wireless real-time location system from Cisco, of San Jose, California, improves a forklift driver's operational accuracy and efficiency.

Mobile resource management software from RedPrairie, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, complements the Cisco system or other software. RedPrairie software provides the X and Y coordinates of an RFID-enabled forklift, reports a truck's movements and monitors the time it spends in each location.

Chris Johnston, Intermec principal product manager for RFID marketing, said market introduction of components for the forklift RFID system would occur over many months.

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