MEC’s New Lookout Sensing System Delivers Broader Protection for Scissor Lifts 

Lookout – Platform includes front, rear, and overhead obstacle detection to reduce risks to operators, equipment, and facilities. 

KERMAN, Calif. – MEC® Aerial Work Platforms is introducing the Lookout™ Sensing System, a new evolution of its obstacle-detection technology, starting with Lookout – Platform to reduce collision risks for slab scissor lifts. The system adds front and rear detection during drive functions to combine with proven overhead sensing capabilities for lift functions, helping to protect operators, nearby personnel, sensitive equipment, and facilities. 

Scissor lift operators are often maneuvering through tight spaces near walls, building infrastructure, and expensive installed equipment, particularly on projects such as data center construction. To reduce the risk of damage, some facility owners and safety managers have required additional spotters, protective bumpers, and restrictions on driving lifts with platforms elevated. These precautions can add significant labor and material costs, while slowing down construction progress on sites. 

“We’re seeing more jobsites introduce measures to protect valuable equipment and facilities,” said Corey Raymo, Director of Aerial Work Platform Products at MEC. “Those precautions address real risks, but they can also limit worker productivity. Lookout gives owners and contractors another tool to manage those risks while supporting safer, more productive operation.” 

More Coverage and Control Without Sacrificing Productivity 

Lookout – Platform uses four ultrasonic sensors positioned at the front and rear of the platform to detect obstacles in the direction of travel or overhead when lifting. As the scissor lift approaches an obstacle, the system progressively warns, slows, and stops the machine, giving operators more time to recognize and respond to potential hazards. 

This system helps reduce collision risks while preserving operator control through: 

• Warn — Earlier awareness of nearby obstacles: An audible alert notifies the operator when an obstacle enters the active sensing zone. 

• Slow — More time to react: As the machine approaches the obstacle, Lookout automatically reduces speed so the operator has additional time to assess the surroundings. 

• Stop — Help avoid accidental contact: The system stops machine movement at a preset distance from the detected obstacle. 

• Override — Precise positioning when needed: When work requires moving closer to a structure or obstacle, the operator can override the stop and continue at creep speed. 

Technicians can also configure the system for either warn/slow/stop or warn/slow operation to accommodate specific jobsite requirements. 

Proven Technology, Simple to Add to Rental Fleets 

The Lookout Sensing System builds on MEC’s award-winning Proactive Platform Safety System® (PPSS), using familiar ultrasonic technology without added complexity for operators. Lookout – Platform is available as an optional retrofit kit for compatible MEC slab scissor lifts, and it can typically be installed in 10-15 minutes, making it easy for rental fleets to add protection to existing machines. 

The system is also planned as a factory-installed option on new slab scissor lift orders, beginning in November 2026. Additional offerings in the Lookout Sensing System lineup are planned. 

For more information on Lookout, visit mecawp.com/lookout. 

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About MEC 

For 50 years, MEC Aerial Work Platforms has designed and engineered equipment solutions with a clear point of view: deliver A Better Solution by listening to customers and bringing operator-first innovations to market that solve real jobsite problems. Based in Kerman, Calif., MEC is a trusted partner to the rental industry and end users alike, known for its Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) leadership with patented and award-winning design features. The brand continues to deliver advances in productivity, performance, safety and return on investment for customers across North America and select global markets. 

For more information on MEC Aerial Work Platforms, visit www.MECawp.com.