Hammar New Zealand has launched an AI-powered pedestrian-detection safety system developed in Aotearoa to ensure safety around Hammar sideloaders in operation.

Sideloader manufacturer Hammar needs no introduction to Kiwi operators, having established itself here 27 years ago with manufacturing and service operations. The company has now partnered with Christchurch-based safety and security supplier Viewtech to integrate the ViewtechAi safety system and maximise safety when working with sideloaders.

The system has been integrated for Hammar sideloaders and uses AI cameras to detect pedestrians entering the operational zone in 0.01 seconds – unlike other systems, which can only detect safety vests or RFID devices. The system alerts the operator and pedestrian with a programmable audio message and warning lights and immediately shuts down the operation to prevent crushing or injury. It has been tested to 99% accuracy – even detecting partially obscured pedestrians.

“The zone is a live fence,” explains Ulf Johansson, sales and marketing director, Hammar New Zealand. “You want the operator and anyone else around out of the hazard zone. It’s about safety, safety, safety.”

The Hammar 110 demo unit in operation at the TMC Trucking Industry Show.

Hammar has trialled several systems and solutions over the years, utilising multiple sensor technologies, each with its own challenges. The AI solution system has been in action and development with Hammar since 2023.

“This system, being AI-based, only detects the human form – not movement, sound, heat, etc. That’s the game-changer,” says Ulf.

The system also combines GPS with a connected digital video recorder, which saves footage upon sensor activation, and can upload snippets to the Viewtech Fleetview cloud system for managers to view. It can also send notification alerts and users can live-view cameras.

“If you have the data, you can change behaviours,” comments Ulf.

The detection area, utilising five cameras, can be digitally defined and adjusted based on customer requirements. The AI on the cameras will only activate when weight is on the lifting chains or during operation, meaning the operator can attach or detach hooks without the alarm sounding. Optionally, the rear camera can also be used as a reversing camera, highlighting pedestrians on an in-cab monitor.

“We needed a system that works well and for all operators. We’ve had a really good cooperation with Viewtech,” says Ulf.

The AI cameras identifying people passing within the operational zone around the truck.

Darren Jenkinson, Viewtech CEO, says the company began developing the ViewtechAi system for sideloaders about three years ago. “Our product was designed to be adaptable; we made it with the idea it can be used anywhere there are people moving around,” he says.

“Hammar has done a good job integrating it with their own controller logic; they’ve taken the logic from our camera to detect if there’s a person there and combined that with their sideloader logic to detect a load on the crane.”

With industrial vibration and ingress protection ratings, the system components are designed to last in tough environments.

The Hammar AI sideloader safety system is available now and can be retrofitted to certain Hammar products.