Kargo System
Meet the Kargo Lift: Bringing AI-Enabled Automation and Visibility to Forklifts
| Kargo | 5 min
As companies face growing customer demands and economic pressures, warehouse operations are embracing artificial intelligence (AI)–with 50% expected to leverage AI-enabled vision systems by 2027, according to Gartner, Inc.
As a leader in computer vision solutions for loading docks, Kargo is continuously pushing the boundaries of how AI can help enterprises optimize their operations.
Today, we are excited to announce that Kargo is expanding its AI capabilities with a new addition to the Kargo System, the Kargo Lift.
How it Works
As the latest addition to the Kargo product portfolio—which includes the Kargo Towers and Kargo Operations Platform—the Kargo Lift expands Kargo’s AI capabilities to the forklift, enhancing automation and visibility.
Designed for any forklift, the Kargo Lift captures high-quality videos and images of loading and unloading activities, including when each pallet is picked up and dropped off. Using computer vision, a type of AI, the Kargo Lift extracts valuable information from these visuals, enabling the automation of critical processes to eliminate human error and boost efficiency.
As each pallet is loaded or unloaded, the Kargo Lift automatically reads labels, inspects the condition of the freight, verifies that the shipment matches its documentation (e.g., the Bill of Lading) and updates inventory records. If an issue is detected—whether it's an overage, shortage, damage, or incorrect product—the forklift operator is notified instantly via a screen on the Kargo Lift, allowing for immediate corrective action.
All data and visuals captured by the Kargo Lift are available on the Kargo Platform in real-time, as well as across existing management systems that are integrated with Kargo.
Why It Matters
The Kargo Lift is more than just a technological enhancement; it’s a strategic asset that solves common, yet critical, challenges in warehousing and logistics operations. By reducing labor costs, minimizing costly errors, and improving compliance, the Kargo Lift directly tackles operational pain points that enterprises face daily.
Automate Shipping & Receiving Processes
The Kargo Lift features an 80-megapixel multi-camera system that captures clear and detailed views of the front of pallets, where damage is most likely to occur. This enhances both quality inspections and label reading, ensuring that potential issues are identified early.
Equipped with 3D imaging and barcode reading capabilities, the Kargo Lift can gather information from any kind of label with 99.9% accuracy. This allows Kargo to automatically verify shipments and update inventory management systems.
By automating key shipping and receiving processes, the Kargo Lift significantly reduces the need for manual labor, minimizes errors, and enhances overall operational efficiency.
Ensure Operational Accuracy and Safety
The Kargo Lift identifies issues and flags them to forklift operators in real-time, allowing immediate action to prevent problems from escalating into costly mistakes. For example, it can help eliminate mis-shipments and prevent the acceptance of damaged or incorrect products.
Additionally, the Kargo Lift enhances worker safety by detecting and alerting operators to safety concerns as they arise. It also captures video evidence, which can be used for training purposes, ensuring that safety protocols are followed and continuously improved.
Enhance Visibility and Documentation
The videos of forklift activity captured by the Kargo Lift during loading and unloading eliminates the need for manual picture-taking and expands visibility beyond the loading dock. The additional visual documentation is invaluable for investigating claims and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
The Kargo Lift integrates seamlessly with the Kargo Platform, supplying data and visuals that can be easily accessed and shared with stakeholders.
How it Integrates with Warehouse Operations
Every component of the Kargo product portfolio is purpose-built to fit seamlessly into existing warehouse operations, and the Kargo Lift is no exception.
Strategically mounted on the forklift’s cross-beam, the Kargo Lift stays clear of the operator’s field of vision, allowing for natural and safe forklift operation without any changes to driving habits.
Similarly, the Kargo Lift requires no updates or modifications to warehouses. It draws power directly from the forklift—no batteries or charging needed—and connects effortlessly to existing Wi-Fi networks.
Installation is straightforward and quick, taking less than one hour and without any modifications to the forklift. Once installed, the Kargo Lift integrates with the rest of the Kargo System and other existing systems, such as warehouse management systems (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) softwares.
As the need to optimize operations seems to grow by the day, it is critical that AI solutions are both easy to implement and integrate.
Shaping the Future of Logistics with AI
In today’s logistics landscape, efficiency, accuracy, and visibility have never been more critical. AI solutions like the Kargo Lift are revolutionizing how warehouses meet these demands.
"The Kargo Lift is more than just a tool; it's a vision for the future of warehousing—where every movement is tracked, every error is caught before it escalates, and every decision is informed by real-time data. We are proud to offer a solution that enhances our customers' capabilities and sets a new standard for the industry," said Sam Lurye, founder and CEO of Kargo.
AI, or more specifically computer vision, is critical to Kargo’s mission to connect the physical world of freight to the digital systems that manage it. The Kargo Lift represents a significant step forward in this journey, expanding Kargo’s computer vision capabilities beyond the loading dock to further enhance and empower operations.
The Kargo Lift is available now.
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