Kanoo launches computer controlled forklift

Mike Collins from Hyster UK, who flew in for the event, handed over the keys to the first two trucks to arrive in the Kingdom to Bob Curtis, general manager of Kanoo Machinery.

The new flagship of the Hyster range of forklift trucks demonstrated its powerful combination of design and computer technology. The Matrix is the first reach truck designed from scratch and the first ever built using demand flow technology (DFT). The Matrix is built almost to order to meet the specific demands of its operating environment.

"The customer can choose a basic mode that incorporates standard parts and features," said Ali Abdullah Kanoo, "but the innovative design means that there is a matrix of options that will deliver a product that best matches their requirements."

Having made a choice of chassis width, frames and capacities, the customer specifies how much and how high he needs the truck to lift. The comparatively compact truck can lift well over a ton up to 11 meters.

A real attraction of the truck is the "fly-by-wire" technology operated through the control panel. A joystick or free rotating miniature steering wheel and an array of neat levers controls onboard computer. As in modern aircraft, the operator doesn't physically control any part of the machine - he instructs a computer through the control panel. Ultra-precise control is now possible, delivering new levels of safety. The trained driver is now safer because of the extra input from technology.
The truck is designed to operate in narrow warehouse aisles. "It allows greater storage and racking density per square meter, a real potential money saver for businesses," said Jim Elliott, divisional operations manager. "The new AC drive technology means greater power, and with low servicing and lubrication and zero emission, it's very eco-friendly."

Kanoo backs the Matrix with a dedicated support vehicle and trained service engineers.

"Our new mobile workshop carries everything needed for servicing and maintenance," said Bruce Jay, product support manager. "Now we bring the workshop to the customer, minimizing the downtime for the customer."

Moving heavy loads presents unique safety problems. The technology built into the machine prevents an operator cornering at high speed, weighs the load and calculates the safety parameters during operation. "We are set to push back the boundaries of the reach truck and materials handling industry," said Ali Abdullah Kanoo. "I'm confident that the new technology has a great future here."