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With an average of 5,720 work-related fatalities occurring in Europe each year, safety is a key concern for companies in the material handling industry. Toyota Material Handling Europe (TMHE) understands the risks associated with forklift operation, and stresses the importance of safety communication and training to its customers. In efforts to promote safe forklift driving and maintenance, Toyota Material Handling Europe (TMHE) has created the Toyota Tonero Simulator and ‘Forklift Challenge’ mobile game.
With its introduction of the Toyota Tonero Simulator, TMHE emphasises the value of ‘learning by doing’ in order to better understand the importance of safe forklift driving. Equipped with standard hydraulic controls levers, acceleration and brake pedals, the forklift simulator operates similarly to a real forklift truck. It has a 1.5 tonne Tonero standard forklift chassis, three screens for forward and side views and one screen at the back for the rear view. The simulator can create unexpected situations for forklift operators that are not available in ordinary training. By providing a realistic and intuitive learning environment, this innovative tool can teach operators to drive more responsibly, and enable non-drivers to experience the role of the driver.
In a similar effort in December 2011, TMHE launched ‘Forklift Challenge’, an interactive mobile game which allows players to drive a virtual forklift truck and experience the type of events that might take place when handling loads. The goal for the players is to achieve maximum productivity, whilst avoiding costly accidents and penalties. In a race against the clock, the driver has to safely pick up and drop off cargo, being sure to activate the Toyota System of Active Stability (Toyota SAS) function to prevent accidents or load loss. In and a fun and engaging way, the game illustrates the benefits of Toyota SAS and helps to raise awareness about the cost of damages in material handling.
TMHE relies upon forklift drivers to be prepared, to avoid accidents and to protect the people around them and the loads being handled. With the creation of the ‘Forklift Challenge’ game and Toyota Tonero Simulator, TMHE hopes to promote safe practices, reduce costs related to workplace accidents and create more responsible drivers.
First introduced at the CEMAT Hannover fair in 2011, the Toyota Tonero Simulator is being demonstrated at several customer events throughout Europe. Toyota Material Handling Deutschland will present the simulator as a key highlight at their booth at the LogiMAT 2012 in Germany from March 13th to March 15th, the 10th International Trade Fair for Distribution, Materials Handling and Information Flow.
TMHE’s ‘Forklift Challenge’ game is available online for PC and MAC in several languages (English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Portuguese). The mobile version of the game can be downloaded for free via iTunes for iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. It is also available on the Android Market and requires Android 2.1.
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