Swedish firm JLT Mobile Computers and Linnaeus University have developed an AI-powered solution to improve safety in industrial environments. Screen Blanking reduces driver distraction in industrial environments such as production floors and warehouses. It also helps companies comply with evolving global regulations.

The Screen Blanking solution uses AI and machine learning to automatically blank the display of vehicle-mounted computers when the vehicle is moving, restoring it as soon as the vehicle stops. This addresses legal requirements in some regions where such measures are mandated, while also enhancing operational safety in warehouses, logistics hubs, and industrial facilities.

Vehicle-mounted active screens are essential in industrial operations but can divert attention from driving tasks. Using built-in motion sensors from JLT’s JLT6012 computers, the JLT and Linnaeus team collected real-world movement data, simulated in part using a modified shopping cart. Linnaeus University researchers then developed an optimised AI model capable of detecting vehicle motion with minimal CPU usage while maintaining high accuracy.

The Screen Blanking application has passed internal testing and is now entering pilot trials with customers in live forklift operations. This next phase will validate its performance in real-world industrial environments, ensuring that it meets both compliance and safety objectives.

“For us as a leading academic institution with deep theoretical knowledge in computer science and mathematics, it’s incredibly valuable to see our research applied to real-world problems,” said Björn Lindenberg, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at Linnaeus University. “This collaboration with JLT demonstrates how AI and high-performance computing can transform industrial safety.”

“This project showcases how collaboration between academia and industry can lead to practical innovations that directly improve workplace safety,” said Per Holmberg, CEO at JLT Mobile Computers. “By integrating AI into our rugged computing solutions, we’re helping customers protect their most valuable asset—their people—while keeping operations efficient.”