With my daughter turning 17, I’ve been reflecting on the past 17 years.
If I go back to 2011, where she was barely two years old, and OnGrade Ltd (SiteZone to most of you now) was very much a fledgling company, something started to change in the world of mobile plant-to-pedestrian safety.
Deaths caused by plant-pedestrian collisions had hovered around 30 per year, and the issue was climbing rapidly up the safety agenda across all sectors. Construction giants like Balfour Beatty had only three years earlier introduced initiatives like "Zero Harm," signalling a shift in focus toward eliminating workplace incidents.
Tag-based proximity warning systems had arrived, with SiteZone Safety among the early providers. These systems gained traction quickly as companies embraced this new technology. We were a young business with a product that seemed like a panacea: a bubble of safety around a machine, where every worker had a tag to ensure they stayed out of harm’s way. Job done!
But hindsight is a wonderful thing.
We quickly learned two key lessons. Firstly, not everyone welcomed us with open arms, even though our goal was to keep them safe. Secondly, our initial vision of “solving” plant-to-pedestrian safety was overly simplistic. Different industries and applications had unique needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach wasn’t sufficient.
Fast forward 12 years and our core product has remained largely the same in functionality, but it’s evolved in response to customer feedback and industry demands. Innovations like BucketZone, SmartBubble, instantly deployable units, and the introduction of data analytics have enhanced the system’s capabilities. Today, SiteZone has nearly 200 million hours of operation and is deployed on 197 waste sites across the UK. Customers appreciate that it “does what it says on the tin,” but therein lies a challenge: evolutionary improvements often lack the excitement of revolutionary change.
The Allure of Shiny and New vs. Proven and Evolved
When new technologies appear on the market, they often attract attention because they promise ground-breaking change. AI-powered safety systems, advanced cameras, and autonomous vehicles are examples of innovations that captivate the imagination. However, excitement can lead to hasty decisions if the limitations of these technologies are not fully understood.
For example, AI-powered cameras can analyse data in real-time and detect hazards, but they still can’t see around corners—a fundamental limitation that can lead to blind spots in critical situations, often found in environments like waste management sites. In contrast, a, tag-based proximity warning system like SiteZone remains effective in environments with obstructed views because it doesn’t rely on line-of-sight. This is a case where a more mature technology has strengths that newer systems do not. Sometimes doing what it says on the tin is exactly what a product needs to do. Let’s take the modern three-point seatbelt as an example. It was invented in 1959 by Nils Bohlin, a Swedish engineer working for Volvo. No doubt a revolution in safety at the time. However since then the fundamental design has remained the same with evolutions such as pre-tensioners, load limiters, and adaptive systems that have all undoubtedly improved Bohlin’s original, but built around the initial product.
The newer system isn’t always better; it’s about what’s right for your application.
Making the Right Choice: Proven vs. New
When evaluating safety technologies, it’s essential to look beyond the marketing hype. Ask critical questions:
- What are the product’s limitations? Understand not just what it can do, but what it cannot do.
- How does it perform in real-world scenarios? Proven technologies often have extensive track records and user feedback to draw from.
- Does it meet your specific needs? A new product might have impressive features, but if it doesn’t address your challenges, it’s not the right solution
- What does it cost compared to more traditional technology? New and shiny often attracts a premium. Is it worth it? In most cases the traditional product does the job just as well (or probably better).
Choosing What’s Right for You
The decision between evolutionary and revolutionary technology shouldn’t hinge on newness or tradition but on suitability for the task at hand. New technologies can offer exciting possibilities, but mature, proven systems often provide reliability and simplicity that newer alternatives lack.
At the end of the day, the best choice is the one that fits with your requirements, mitigates your risks, and delivers the desired outcomes. Whether you opt for the proven reliability of a system like SiteZone or decide to invest in cutting-edge AI technology, make sure your decision is informed by a clear understanding of both the possibilities and the limitations.
Remember: it’s not about chasing the shiny and new—it’s about finding the right solution for you.
