Monday, April 8, 2002		Article

Beyond doubt computers have been the miracle machines of the 20th century and in a short span of time, their development has come a long way. Computers have contributed immensely towards the productivity and economy of the country.

Developments of laptop computers have increased the utility of computers with their easy adaptability and mobility. The growing need of computers at workplaces has ushered in latest advances and now, wearable computers are being developed in order to save time and money.

However, there is a greater need to manufacture a ruggedised mobile computer that should have higher life expectancy in fields, outside rooms and under adverse weather conditions.

Ruggedisation of computers will be a niche and hot market in the times to come as repair costs have risen and the quality of off-the-shelf computer has dropped. Hence the impetus for choosing an industrial strength mobile computer will be heavily influenced by the amount of time and resources spent to make a non-ruggedised mobile computer a ruggedised one.

Earlier, whenever we thought of computers, we always thought them to be machines with a gentle touch. Though, the scenario has changed now. Today computers no longer need an air-conditioner and can comfortably work up to 50°C.

Despite all this, cooling as well as the durability of laptop and wearable computers would be a major issue that would be tackled effectively in near future. Regarding the mechanical strength, tabletop versions of computers were strong enough but the increasing use of laptop and wearable computers has increased the concern about their ruggedness.

During a survey in more than 350 companies in the USA, all with different working environment, it was found that the damage rates to laptop PCs run as high as 34 per cent. The study determined that the average damage cost was $ 2,745 per incident. When the computers become a source of big loss to the economy then a thought about durable and rugged computers automatically crosses the mind. Moreover, the employment scenarion today is such that a computer down means a man out of work.

When a laptop computer is not mobile enough to conduct the work effectively, there is one more option - wearable computer systems. Wearable computers are not the simple barcode readers and handheld input devices but are fully functional PCs. Wearable computers represent a major step towards mobile computing.

Companies abroad are already equipping technicians with a truly mobile computer that is powerful enough to wirelessly interact with the company's main computer system to enhance mobility and productivity. Besides, locating underground utilities is another application where wearable computers have found a unique application. Impossible to believe a few years ago, wearable computers are already finding many takers in blue-collared workers from diverse fields.

Wearable computer should be powerful enough to collect data, process signals, and run the existing PC-based software. The latest wearable computer developed by Bell Canada, Toronto, with Xybernaut Corp, Fairfax (USA), contains a 500-MHz Intel Celeron processor, 128-MB of RAM and a 2-GB hard drive that can be worn on a vest or on a belt. It can run all major PC operating systems, including Windows 2000/NT and Linux with highlights like a daylight-viewable head-mounted display or a wrist-mounted flat panel touch-screen viewable in all light levels and voice recognition. Another wearable computer designed by Panasonic (Japan) company weighing less than 2 pounds and having a wireless touch screen can be used within 300 ft of the mini PC or any laptop equipped with LAN card. However, more advance features are to be provided in upcoming versions of mobile computers.

It isn't just the ruggedisation that needs to be thought out when planning to equip a mobile force with mobile computers. The feature set and application details are sometimes just as important. Features such as an antiglare screen of laptop computers cannot be overlooked. Touch screens and wireless modems are also important features in a mobile computing environment. Mounting hardware for the laptop is another important characteristic that not only enhances the usability of the laptop in a rugged environment, say while riding a truck, but also helps minimise vibrations that can destroy a computer.

There is much more to ruggedising a computer than putting it in a hard case. There is a need for providing upgraded mobile computers and application solutions for the field environment. A truly ruggedised mobile computer will be built differently from inside out.

Proof of durability in worst-case operating environments will be a major selling point for the computers to come, particularly laptops and wearable PCs. These ruggedised computers will come with special features e.g., protection from spills and splashes, vibrations from bumpy roadways in a truck or accidental drops and shock-dampened hard disk drives to protect the sensitive stored data. The LCD display screen is typically one of the most sensitive and expensive parts of a mobile computer. Thus this screen in a ruggedised computer must be well sealed and protected against abuse. As technological developments drives technology out the realm of science fiction into everyday world and with the popular adaptation of new technologies such as radio despatch, cellular communications, and wireless laptop computers, there is no doubt about the popularisation of durable mobile computers.