There may be an RFID-equipped forklift in your future

Joining together to create a concept for a forklift that will build radio frequency identification (RFID) and real-time location capabilities right into the equipment of the future are solution providers Cisco Systems, Red-Prairie and Intermec, and Cascade Corp., a manufacturer of forklift attachments.

With the complete system, drivers can read and encode RFID tags without leaving the vehicle, and managers can get real-time data on vehicle locations and activity that can be used to manage labor and assets more efficiently.

Cascade and Intermec unveiled a prototype future forklift in early February.

The RFID prototype