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NOK's Innovative Approach to Forklift Safety Management

NOK Corporation, based in Minato, Tokyo, has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing safety management in logistics environments by utilizing its brainwave measurement technology originally developed for dementia prevention. In collaboration with five companies, including Sompo Japan Insurance, NOK is participating in a joint project called the Forklift Accident Prevention Program. This innovative program seeks to reduce accident risks by visualizing the operators' brainwave data during forklift operations, thereby monitoring their mental state.

Application of Sotto Brain Technology

Central to this initiative is NOK's Sotto Brain, a helmet-mounted device equipped with dry rubber electrodes designed for precise brainwave measurement. This device captures subtle brainwave signals during operational tasks, enabling real-time monitoring of forklift operators' cognitive states. NOK’s contribution lies not only in developing this advanced helmet device but also in providing its own logistics center as a testing ground for real-world applications.

The practical trials of this program are scheduled from July 2025 to January 2026, during which the efficacy of the system will be rigorously assessed. If successful, NOK plans to roll out this technology as a commercial service aimed at enhancing safety protocols in logistics operations.

Developing a New Approach to Safety Management

The foundation of NOK's brainwave measurement technology is its ability to detect faint brainwaves in everyday conditions, including during various physical activities. Recognizing the potential of this capability, NOK explored ways to apply this technology to improve safety measures in logistics. By transforming the operators' biological data into visual information, the initiative will help in objectively observing the operators' conditions—an aspect traditionally difficult to quantify. This advancement opens up new avenues for accident prevention strategies.

Ensuring Practical Implementation

NOK's commitment to making this program practical involves enhancing existing brainwave measurement devices to fit seamlessly into helmet designs suitable for workplace environments. This adaptation allows continuous data collection without adding extra burden on the operators. Additionally, by employing their logistics center for ongoing trials, NOK goes beyond theoretical discussions to confirm the program's applicability in a real-world context.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, NOK aims to leverage insights gained from this initiative to improve the precision of biological data acquisition further. Enhancements in predictive capabilities for accident prevention and risk assessments are among the technical goals. The company also envisions broadening the application from logistics to various manufacturing environments, ultimately seeking to implement data-driven safety management practices across diverse operational contexts.

NOK Group remains committed to its ethos of Essential Core Manufacturing, focusing on technologies that visualize human states, thereby contributing to the safety and well-being of workers across various industries.

About Sotto Brain

The Sotto Brain system utilizes dry rubber electrodes capable of precisely acquiring microvolt brainwave signals from the forehead and earlobes. This innovative design leverages NOK's unique formulation technology, ensuring high conductivity comparable to metals while remaining gentle on the skin. The electrodes can be used repeatedly and facilitate effortless data collection by simply being lightly pressed against the skin.

Sotto and sotto are registered trademarks of NOK (Registered Trademark Nos. 6754240, 6747684, 6747683).

Collaboration for Safety

The Forklift Accident Prevention Program is a cooperative effort among NOK, Sompo Japan, SORAMO Risk Management, Little Software Corp., and Toyota L&F Kanagawa. This partnership focuses on collecting and analyzing operators’ brainwave data to create effective safety management frameworks. Through these trials, the project aims to establish insights into operator characteristics and physical states that contribute to reducing accident risks, thus paving the way for personalized educational and support initiatives.

For more information, please refer to the joint press release published on April 24, 2026.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this release:
NOK Corporation CEO Office Corporate Affairs Department
Tel: 03-5405-6372
Email: [email protected]

About NOK Corporation

NOK Group stands by its principle of Essential Core Manufacturing, providing the backbone for safety and comfort in society through its operations. With around 38,000 employees in 15 countries and regions, the company focuses on product development and stable mass production based on extensive foundational research. NOK continues to deliver technology and products across a variety of industries including mobility, electronics, healthcare, industrial robotics, and even satellite technologies.