The present disclosure discloses an apparatus that can be retracted for efficient storage and can be used for transporting materials from one location to another. The apparatus includes a retractable assembly coupled to track members that are expanded and retracted using the retractable assembly. The retractable assembly uses a plurality of arms connected to a slide member that have slide attachment members that move along the slide to retract and expand the present invention. The apparatus can be configured to cooperate with a forklift assembly, a storage box member or platforms to transport materials and loads. The apparatus can be two or four wheel drive and can be configured with more wheel members depending on the desired use.

A variety of vehicle-based and warehouse-based solutions are provided to increase the adaptability, utility, and efficiency of materials handling vehicles in the warehouse environment, such as a materials handling vehicle comprising a hand-held drive unit comprising a user interface and an operational command generator responsive to the user interface. The hand-held drive unit is configured to send operational commands generated in response to user input at the user interface to the vehicular controller(s) to control operational functions of the traction control unit, the braking system, the steering assembly, the mast assembly, the picking attachment, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, methods and systems of facilitating movement of product-containing pallets include at least one forklift unit configured to lift and move the product-containing pallets, at least one motorized transport unit configured to mechanically engage and disengage a respective forklift unit, and a central computer system in communication with the at least one motorized transport unit. The central computer system is configured to transmit at least one signal to the at least one motorized transport unit. The signal is configured to cause the at least one motorized transport unit to control the at least one forklift unit to move at least one of the product-containing pallets.

Testing operational characteristics of a remote control device associated with a materials handling vehicle can include waiting for receipt of a first input indicative that a first button of the remote control device has been pressed, wherein the first button comprises a travel button of the remote control device. The testing may further comprise waiting for receipt, subsequent to receiving the first input, of a second input indicative that at least a second button of the remote control device has been pressed, wherein the second button relates to a first auxiliary vehicle function. The testing still further comprises determining whether or not a predetermined button pressing sequence is successful based at least in part on receiving or not receiving the first and second inputs; and optionally driving a display on the vehicle to provide a visual indication that the button pressing sequence is successful or not successful based on the determination.

A remote control device that is to be worn on the appendage of an operator includes a base portion, a wireless communication system, a control, and an insert member. The wireless communication system includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting wireless commands from the remote control device. The control is communicably coupled to the wireless communication system, wherein actuation of the control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a wireless command. The insert member is removably attached to the base portion.

An industrial vehicle remote control system includes a forklift that has a vehicle communication unit and a remote control device that has a remote communication unit and is used to remotely control the forklift. A vehicle wireless CPU of the industrial vehicle remote control system acquires the received radio wave intensity of a remote control signal by which the two communication units wirelessly communicate, and, on the basis of the results thereof, determines whether the forklift is positioned in a permission range or in a prohibition range.

A method is provided for wireless communication between a wireless remote control device comprising a peripheral device and a controller on a materials handling vehicle comprising a central device. The method may comprise: polling via a plurality of connection event requests, by the central device, communicated with the peripheral device with which the central device is paired, the peripheral device comprising one or more activatable switches. Based on the status of one or more activatable switches, the peripheral device sending reply messages to at least a portion of the plurality of connection requests in accordance with at least one communication operating mode of the peripheral device, wherein each reply message is indicative of the status of the one or more activatable switches. Calculating, by the central device, a number of missed messages.

A lift device includes a lift apparatus and a base assembly. The lift apparatus is configured to raise and lower an implement assembly. The base assembly is configured to support the lift apparatus. The base assembly includes a deployable operator station transitionable between a deployed position and a stowed position. In the deployed position, the deployable operator station is configured to provide a seating and control arrangement for an operator. In the stowed position, the deployable operator station is substantially sealed from an external environment to limit access to the deployable operator station.

A method for the control of an industrial truck during order picking by an industrial truck with at least one environment sensor for the detection of the relative position of an operator in the environment of the industrial truck. The method includes moving the industrial truck using a control system. As the position of the operator changes, and when the operator stops, the industrial truck is stopped at a freely selectable distance specified in advance in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a reference point of a load handling device of the industrial truck and the position of the operator.

A local fleet connectivity system includes a plurality of machines disposed at a location. Each of the plurality of machines include an implement and a prime mover configured to drive the implement. The system includes a connectivity hub configured to establish, via a connectivity module, a connection with the plurality of machines. The connectivity hub is configured to establish a connection with at least one remote server. The connectivity hub is configured to exchange data between the plurality of machines and the at least one remote server. The data flows through the connectivity hub.