Abstract: A control input apparatus for operating an aerial lift system includes a control lever assembly that has at least one control lever and at least one position sensor. The at least one position sensor may indicate a position and/or a movement of the at least one control lever. The control input apparatus additionally incudes a control input element actuatable over a movement range from a non-actuated position to a fully-actuated position, and at least one interlock sensor that releases an interlock corresponding to the control lever assembly upon the control input element being actuated at least to an actuation threshold position located between the non-actuated position and the fully-actuated position. Upon the control input element being actuated at least to the actuation threshold position, the control input apparatus provides control inputs corresponding to the position and/or the movement of the control lever indicated by the at least one position sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting attachment of a lanyard at a utility platform of an aerial device are described. In some embodiments, a lanyard attachment device is disposed on a utility platform. The lanyard attachment device may comprise a sensor detecting when a lanyard is attached to the lanyard attachment device. In some embodiments, the utility platform is separated from a base of the aerial device by a dielectric gap, and a light signal is indicative of the state of the lanyard attachment device. Furthermore, anti-tie-down functionality may be used to detect error or tampering of the lanyard attachment device.