Why AI Cameras Fail Outdoors and How UWB/LiDAR Makes the Difference

October 17, 2025
5 min read

Rain, fog, snow, or glaring sunlight can obscure the camera’s view or confuse its algorithms, leading to missed detections or false alarms.For example, heavy rain and dust have been shown to cut AI detection accuracy significantly (one study noted accuracy dropping to about 87% in rainy conditions). Moreover, cameras require a clear, clean lens and line-of-sight visibility. Lens obstructions like mud, frost, or condensation can impair image quality and poorly lit or high-glare environments will further reduce detection reliability. All these factors mean that a forklift’s AI camera may “go blind” just when it’s needed most, during bad weather or in outdoor yards.

Beyond weather, complex outdoor backgrounds and occlusions pose problems. AI vision can struggle to distinguish people from cluttered scenery or when a person is partially hidden(by pallets, vehicles, etc.). A top-tier manufacturer cautions that AI cameras “may not detect pedestrians if they’re carrying objects, standing near walls, ... or in reduced visibility situations such as fog, steam, smoke, [or] rain”. In busy yards, a pedestrian behind a stack of goods or around a blind corner might escape the camera’s view entirely. These limitations result in dangerous blind spots and inconsistent protection outdoors. In contrast, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and LiDAR technologies excel in such challenging environments, ensuring reliable safety coverage where cameras fall short.

UWB and LiDAR: Built for All-Weather, All-Conditions Safety

Unlike optical cameras, UWB radio-based systems are largely immune to weather and lighting conditions. UWB uses ultra-short radio pulses to measure distances between tags with centimeter-level precision, unaffected by darkness, glare, or dust. This means rain or fog does not diminish UWB’s ability to detect a nearby worker or vehicle. Additionally, UWB’s wide-spectrum pulses are robust against industrial interference and can even penetrate certain obstructions.This allows a UWB proximity sensor to detect a pedestrian around a corner or through shelving (within range) without needing direct line of sight.The result is a consistent 360° safety shield around the forklift in virtually any outdoor condition. As one industry source notes, “TAGs work consistently in all conditions and are not affected by line-of-sight or visibility issues. Detection accuracy exceeds 99%.”.Such reliability is critical outdoors, where visibility can change by the minute.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is another game-changer for outdoor forklift safety. LiDAR units actively scan the environment with laser beams, creating a precise distance map of obstacles. Because LiDAR provides its own illumination (infrared or laser light), it works in darkness or shadow as effectively as in daylight.It’s far less sensitive to sun glare or lighting contrasts than a camera.Modern LiDAR sensors used on forklifts can detect obstacles and people in realtime, even distinguishing them using reflective properties (as done by some systems using reflectors on safety vests).Importantly, LiDAR maintains accuracy in many weather conditions that stymie cameras – a bit of rain or dust may cause some signal noise, but generally LiDAR will still perceive objects where vision algorithms might fail. For instance, one safety provider’s infrared LiDAR system can deliver precise, reliable detection even in challenging environments, without the limitations of passive camera-only systems. In practice, forklift makers have started integrating LiDAR for outdoor use: Crown’s new Proximity Assist uses LiDAR to automatically slow a truck if any object lies in its path, and Hyster’s safety package combines 2D LiDAR for object detection with UWB tagging for full 360° coverage. These examples show how LiDAR’s active sensing capabilities dramatically improve outdoor safety, from detecting low-lying obstacles on rough yard terrain to stopping forklifts before a collision.

By leveraging UWB and LiDAR, Lopos’ technology ensures dependable outdoor protection where traditional AI cameras falter. UWB’s radio-frequency ranging provides all-weather, through-obstacle awareness, while LiDAR offers laser-precise vision that sees in darkness and over distance. Together, they form a resilient safety net: even if rain is pelting down or sun glare washes out a camera feed, the UWB-LiDAR system will still pinpoint a worker’s location and an approaching vehicle’s path. The result is drastically fewer missed detections and false alerts, instilling confidence that the system “just works” regardless of weather. In outdoor environments — be it yard operations under the sun or loading docks in fog and rain — companies can trust that advanced UWB/LiDAR-based collision avoidance will maintain vigilant guard, where AI cameras alone would be blind. This robust performance in all conditions is exactly why next-generation forklift safety relies on UWB and LiDAR to keep people safe inside and outside the warehouse.

Unlock Safer & Smarter Operations - Book Your Demo Today!
In depth info session
Preview of the Lopos environment
Custom case build for your business
1 on 1 with one of our experts
Book your demo

Don’t miss an event or post

We’ll send you a quick email, letting you know a new webinar, whitepaper or post has been made. Nothing more, nothing less.

By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.
Thank you! We'll occasionally send you an update.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Blog

Read similar posts

Category
5 min read

Checklist: How to Choose the Right Collision Avoidance System for Your Warehouse

Selecting a collision avoidance or forklift safety system is a critical decision. With various technologies and vendors on the market, it can be overwhelming to determine which solution best fits your warehouse needs. This checklist of key criteria will help you evaluate options systematically. By considering each factor below, you can compare systems apples-to-apples and ensure the chosen solution aligns with your safety goals, operational requirements, and future growth.
Read post
Category
5 min read

LiDAR in Forklift Safety: Hype or Game-Changer?

LiDAR – once known mostly for self-driving cars – is rapidly making its way into forklift safety systems. But is this laser-scanning technology a genuine breakthrough for industrial safety, or just the latest buzzword? Let’s explore how LiDAR works in a warehouse setting and why it’s increasingly seen as a game-changer (not mere hype) for preventing forklift accidents.
Read post
Category
5 min read

The 5 Most Popular Techniques for Forklift Proximity Warnings: Pros and Cons

Forklifts are indispensable in warehouses, factories, and distribution centers, but they also pose serious collision risks to nearby workers. In fact, OSHA reports that forklift accidents led to 24 fatalities and hundreds of injuries in 2024. Nearly 20% of these incidents involve pedestrians being struck by a forklift. To prevent such accidents, companies are turning to advanced forklift proximity warning systems. These systems alert drivers and pedestrians when they get too close, using a variety of technologies. In this collision avoidance comparison, we’ll explore the five most popular techniques – how they work, and the pros and cons of each
Read post
Category
5 min read

Safety while avoiding unnecessary alerts with dynamic warning

One of the features that makes the solution unique is the dynamic warning capabilities of the beacon which is installed on, for instance, the forklift.
Read post
Category
5 min read

UWB vs. AI Cameras for Pedestrian Detection: Which Technology Truly Protects?

When it comes to preventing forklift–pedestrian collisions, the choice of technology can mean the difference between consistent protection and critical blind spots. AI camera-based systems and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tag-based systems represent two very different approaches to pedestrian detection. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is key to determining which will truly safeguard workers on your warehouse floor.
Read post
Category
5 min read

Why Classic Proximity Systems (like RFID) Are No Longer Enough

Older-generation proximity warning systems – exemplified by RFID-based setups like the classic ZoneSafe – have been used for years to alert forklift drivers when a pedestrian with a tag is nearby. They were pioneers in forklift safety, creating a virtual bubble around vehicles. However, technology has moved on, and so have the demands of modern warehouses. Environments are more complex, speeds are higher, and simply detecting “tag present vs. not present” isn’t sufficient for optimal safety. Here we examine the limitations of these “old school” proximity systems and why newer technologies (like UWB and advanced sensors) are needed to protect today’s workplaces. In short, classic systems can leave dangerous gaps – and future-proof solutions like Lopos’ UWB-based system fill those gaps with precision and reliability.
Read post
Category
5 min read

How to Integrate an Advanced Safety System into Your Existing Warehouse Workflow

Implementing an advanced forklift safety system (like a collision avoidance or proximity warning system) in a busy warehouse may sound daunting. Change often raises concerns: Will it disrupt operations? How hard is it to install? Will workers accept it? The good news is that with a structured, step-by-step approach, you can seamlessly integrate a modern safety solution into your existing workflow. Drawing on Lopos’ experience deploying systems in industrial settings, this guide outlines how to introduce new safety tech with minimal disruption and maximum buy-in. The key is careful planning, involving your team, and leveraging the system’s flexibility to fit your processes.
Read post
Category
5 min read

How UWB Works and Why It’s So Accurate for Industrial Safety

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) has emerged as a leading technology for industrial safety and real-time location systems (RTLS) – but what exactly is UWB, and why does it offer unparalleled accuracy in distance measurement and positioning? This section provides a plain-language overview of how UWB technology operates and explains the features that make it superbly suited for applications like forklift collision avoidance, personnel tracking, and other safety uses in warehouses and factories.
Read post
Category
5 min read

The 10 Biggest Causes of Forklift Accidents – and How Technology Prevents Them

Forklifts are indispensable tools, but they also pose serious hazards. Understanding the top causes of forklift accidents is the first step in preventing them. The next step is leveraging modern technology solutions to address each cause. Below, we outline ten major accident causes and discuss how today’s safety tech (from proximity sensors to smart assistants) helps avert these scenarios. By the end, it will be clear that for practically every common forklift danger, there’s a technological safeguard available to mitigate it.
Read post
Category
5 min read

The Real ROI of a Forklift Collision Avoidance System

Investing in a forklift collision avoidance system isn’t just about safety – it’s also a smart financial decision. Workplace accidents are extraordinarily expensive, once you tally direct and indirect costs. In this section, we’ll break down how a modern forklift collision avoidance system (CAS) can deliver a strong Return on Investment (ROI) by preventing accidents and the cascade of expenses they bring. From reducing injury costs and downtime to lowering insurance premiums and improving productivity, the financial benefits of these safety systems are very real.
Read post