An indoor positioning system (IPS) uses GPS technology to track the precise location, heading and movement of mobile assets, such as lift trucks, indoors without bar code scanning or RFID.

"We are putting the automatic in automatic data collection," said Larry Mahan, CEO of Sky-Trax, Inc. (Booth 5544). "We believe the technology is accurate enough and robust enough that we can track lift trucks and even bulk storage of inventory to within inches."

The system relies on smart optical sensors mounted on moveable objects or equipment and aimed at overhead position markers. The sensors capture a video image of the position markers. That information is then sent to a server that determines the position, heading and velocity of the object to within inches. That information is then used to create a graphical representation of the object as it travels through a facility.

While supply chain applications are new, the system relies on off-the-shelf camera-imaging technology that has been used in other industrial applications for years.

"This technology is proven," said Mahan. "Only the application is new."

In addition to tracking lift trucks and other vehicles, the system can be used to notify facility workers when a lift truck enters a work zone for safety purposes, and to work in conjunction with a warehouse management system to track inventory location or to optimize the use of lift trucks in a facility.