Development of a Forklift Accident Suppression Program Utilizing Bio-Data
Sompo Japan and four other companies have jointly conducted a demonstration experiment on a forklift accident suppression program utilizing brainwave data, confirming its effectiveness. They plan to offer the service in the future, aiming to reduce accidents caused by human error, which traditional safety measures had limitations in addressing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 01:40
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 17:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 17:48 (46 min after Collected)
Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. (President: Koji Ishikawa, hereinafter "Sompo Japan"), SOMPO Risk Management Inc. (President: Takemasa Nakamura, hereinafter "SOMPO Risk"), NOK Corporation (President, Executive Officer, Group CEO: Masao Tsuru, hereinafter "NOK"), Little Software Inc. (Representative Director: Tatsuo Kawahara, hereinafter "LSW"), and Toyota L&F Kanagawa Co., Ltd. (President: Yoshimasa Sakata, hereinafter "Toyota L&F Kanagawa") conducted a demonstration experiment for a forklift accident suppression program utilizing brainwave data for companies owning forklifts. As a result, it was confirmed that information regarding operator characteristics and physical/mental states useful for suppressing forklift accidents can be obtained from these data. Based on these results, we plan to provide this program as a service to our customers in the future.
1. Background and Purpose of the Demonstration Experiment
Forklifts are indispensable material handling equipment in many logistics warehouses and factories, but their operation always carries the risk of accidents. Approximately 2,000 industrial accidents caused by forklifts occur annually nationwide in Japan*, and improving safety is a critical issue in Japan's forklift industry.
Until now, safety measures have focused on thorough compliance with rules and physical improvements to hazardous areas. However, many accidents are caused by human error, and traditional measures have their limits. Therefore, in this demonstration experiment, the following five companies, with their specialized knowledge and know-how, collaborated to aim for further suppression of property damage accidents and industrial accidents through a new approach: diagnosing the individual characteristics of operators' driving behavior (including routines) and thought patterns from brainwaves and other data.
Sompo Japan: Planning and formulation of this program.
SOMPO Risk: Providing know-how cultivated over many years in accident prevention programs for forklift companies.
NOK: Development of a unique rubber that is easy to attach and can accurately measure faint brainwaves from the scalp or forehead. Provision of a brainwave measuring device equipped with this.
LSW: Analyzing brainwave data to support optimal personnel placement and team building.
Toyota L&F Kanagawa: Cooperating by leveraging its expertise as a locally-based forklift dealer.
*Source: Japan Industrial Vehicles Association "Occurrence of Industrial Accidents Caused by Forklifts" (Original source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare "Industrial Accident Statistics")
2. Overview of the Accident Suppression Program
(1) Program Overview
In this program, bio-data such as operators' brainwaves during forklift operation are measured and analyzed using a helmet-type dedicated device. This objectively visualizes "concentration duration," "attention trends," "moments of stress," and "spatial awareness," which previously relied heavily on the experience and intuition of managers, in a short period of approximately 10 to 20 minutes. By understanding individual characteristics (work styles) based on data, and enabling specific education/support tailored to each individual and appropriate team placement, this program aims to reduce accident risk through a scientific approach different from traditional safety management.
(*This device is not a medical device intended for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases.)
(2) Service Menus
This program plans to offer the following two service menus:
① Next-generation Forklift Safety Training Service
Bio-data is acquired during safety driving training sessions conducted by companies. The program analyzes operators' "preferred tasks/苦手な作業" and "work styles" from brainwaves and proposes team formations considering compatibility between operators. It also checks safety confirmation timings and habits, supporting persuasive guidance and training based on objective data.
② Operational Forklift Safety Analysis Service
Bio-data is acquired during daily routine work. By identifying points where operators experience stress or danger and linking them to work locations, it identifies not only "human skill" but also "location risk," supporting the creation of a safer and more comfortable workplace environment.
(3) Provided Reports and Videos
Through these services, the following reports and videos will be provided to strengthen companies' safety management systems:
① Individual Reports
Reports on signs of decreased concentration and potential hazard spots (near misses) from the acquired data, with specific numerical values and images. It also provides feedback on physical considerations inferred from the data, contributing to the prevention of industrial accidents from multiple perspectives.
② Corporate Reports
Quantitatively visualizes the overall safety trends of the site (strengths, potential risks, and concerns). It classifies each operator's characteristics into six types and lists them, combining this with compatibility diagnosis to enable personnel placement that reduces accident risk and improves the site's overall safety.
1. Background and Purpose of the Demonstration Experiment
Forklifts are indispensable material handling equipment in many logistics warehouses and factories, but their operation always carries the risk of accidents. Approximately 2,000 industrial accidents caused by forklifts occur annually nationwide in Japan*, and improving safety is a critical issue in Japan's forklift industry.
Until now, safety measures have focused on thorough compliance with rules and physical improvements to hazardous areas. However, many accidents are caused by human error, and traditional measures have their limits. Therefore, in this demonstration experiment, the following five companies, with their specialized knowledge and know-how, collaborated to aim for further suppression of property damage accidents and industrial accidents through a new approach: diagnosing the individual characteristics of operators' driving behavior (including routines) and thought patterns from brainwaves and other data.
Sompo Japan: Planning and formulation of this program.
SOMPO Risk: Providing know-how cultivated over many years in accident prevention programs for forklift companies.
NOK: Development of a unique rubber that is easy to attach and can accurately measure faint brainwaves from the scalp or forehead. Provision of a brainwave measuring device equipped with this.
LSW: Analyzing brainwave data to support optimal personnel placement and team building.
Toyota L&F Kanagawa: Cooperating by leveraging its expertise as a locally-based forklift dealer.
*Source: Japan Industrial Vehicles Association "Occurrence of Industrial Accidents Caused by Forklifts" (Original source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare "Industrial Accident Statistics")
2. Overview of the Accident Suppression Program
(1) Program Overview
In this program, bio-data such as operators' brainwaves during forklift operation are measured and analyzed using a helmet-type dedicated device. This objectively visualizes "concentration duration," "attention trends," "moments of stress," and "spatial awareness," which previously relied heavily on the experience and intuition of managers, in a short period of approximately 10 to 20 minutes. By understanding individual characteristics (work styles) based on data, and enabling specific education/support tailored to each individual and appropriate team placement, this program aims to reduce accident risk through a scientific approach different from traditional safety management.
(*This device is not a medical device intended for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of diseases.)
(2) Service Menus
This program plans to offer the following two service menus:
① Next-generation Forklift Safety Training Service
Bio-data is acquired during safety driving training sessions conducted by companies. The program analyzes operators' "preferred tasks/苦手な作業" and "work styles" from brainwaves and proposes team formations considering compatibility between operators. It also checks safety confirmation timings and habits, supporting persuasive guidance and training based on objective data.
② Operational Forklift Safety Analysis Service
Bio-data is acquired during daily routine work. By identifying points where operators experience stress or danger and linking them to work locations, it identifies not only "human skill" but also "location risk," supporting the creation of a safer and more comfortable workplace environment.
(3) Provided Reports and Videos
Through these services, the following reports and videos will be provided to strengthen companies' safety management systems:
① Individual Reports
Reports on signs of decreased concentration and potential hazard spots (near misses) from the acquired data, with specific numerical values and images. It also provides feedback on physical considerations inferred from the data, contributing to the prevention of industrial accidents from multiple perspectives.
② Corporate Reports
Quantitatively visualizes the overall safety trends of the site (strengths, potential risks, and concerns). It classifies each operator's characteristics into six types and lists them, combining this with compatibility diagnosis to enable personnel placement that reduces accident risk and improves the site's overall safety.