Linde Reverse Assist Radar at Michelin Tyre PLC
Logistics with Backup
When reversing with a forklift truck, foresight—or should that be reverse-sight—is doubly important. To prevent dangerous situations during reversing from even arising, Linde Material Handling has developed an easy-to-retrofit assistance system: the Linde Reverse Assist Radar. The example of tire manufacturer Michelin in the British city of Stoke-on-Trent shows the reliable services this sensor-based technology provides in everyday logistics.
Anyone entering the tire warehouse in the English Midlands, packed to the ceiling with all manner of goods, might almost think a movie is playing in reverse. This unusual perception comes from the fact the counterbalanced forklift trucks (all Linde E20models) are driven in reverse for a large part of the day at Michelin—and not just when loading and unloading containers. “The vehicles mainly transport tires larger than 22 inches for trucks and tractors using a rotating tire clamp. Naturally these loads severely restrict forward visibility, so reversing is not the exception but the rule,” explains Leon Jackson, Key Account Manager at Linde Material Handling UK.
This is a real challenge for the team, as up to 20 vehicles need to be in operation in the hall simultaneously per shift to meet the company’s next-day delivery requirement. To reduce the associated risk of accidents, the tire manufacturer relies in part on the Linde TruckSpot™ and Red Warning Lines safety features, which are installed in both the counterbalanced forklift trucks and reach trucks. “The plant in Stoke-on-Trent has been a customer of ours for over 40 years and we know just how important safety is to Michelin,” Jackson continues. “When discussing how safety could be further improved, the Linde Reverse Assist Radar came up in our conversations.”
Linde MH Technology Covers Your Back
At first glance, it is merely an inconspicuous black box on the rear of the counterbalanced forklift trucks. However, in Michelin’s tightly scheduled logistics operations, this seemingly small add-on provides a significant boost in safety.
The Linde Reverse Assist Radar continuously monitors the area behind the industrial truck. If an obstacle is detected while driving or starting from a standstill, the system actively intervenes. Depending on speed, steering angle, load weight, lift height, and distance to the detected object, the forklift truck is braked to a standstill at a maximum deceleration of 3 m/s² to effectively prevent impending collisions. The sensor technology used in the Linde solution not only detects static and moving objects but is also extremely insensitive to changing lighting conditions and other influences. “The system really works exceptionally well in daily operations. It detects much more than other comparable technologies currently on the market,” says forklift driver Miles Cork. His colleague Neil Ritchie adds: “Working with the vehicle is so much better when you know that the technology is on board as a backup. It takes away a lot of stress.”
In parallel with the automatic speed reduction, Michelin personnel receive a visual warning on the 7-inch display in the forklift truck. People in the vicinity of the truck are additionally alerted to the dangerous situation by an audible warning tone.
An All-Round Success
As of September 2025, nine vehicles in the counterbalanced forklift truck fleet in Stoke-on-Trent have already been equipped with the Linde Reverse Assist Radar, with more to follow soon. The detection range of the installed sensors is designed for the rear width of the vehicles as standard, but can be easily adapted to individual needs—as in the case of Michelin: “This allowed us to ensure that when working in narrow aisles, for example, no unnecessary warnings are generated and processes remain in flow,” says Linde MH Key Account Manager Leon Jackson. Of course, the Linde expert continues, the issue of safety is not “finished” with the customer. They will continue to explore every possible optimization in close discussion with Linde. Because whether narrow or unclear, backward or forward: when it comes to safety, foresight is and will always remain the best way.
