Patent ID: 8725317

Claim:
A multiple detection zone supplemental remote control system for a materials handling vehicle comprising: a remote control device manually operable by an operator to wirelessly transmit at least a first type signal designating a travel request requesting the vehicle to travel; a receiver for installation on the vehicle that receives transmissions from the corresponding remote control device; at least one contactless obstacle sensor that is operable to define at least two detection zones, each detection zone defining an area at least partially in front of a forward traveling direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request; a controller that communicates with the receiver and with a traction control system of the vehicle to operate the vehicle under remote control in response to receiving travel requests from the remote control device, wherein the controller receives information obtained from the at least one obstacle sensor and is configured to: perform a first action if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request and an obstacle is detected in a first one of the detection zones; and perform a second action different from the first action if the vehicle is traveling under remote control in response to a travel request and an obstacle is detected in a second one of the detection zones; and at least one presence sensor for detecting whether an operator is positioned on the vehicle, wherein the controller is further configured to operate the vehicle under remote control when the at least one presence sensor designates that no operator is on the vehicle.