| Truck computer runs Windows Mobile |
Oct. 06, 2008
 Motorola announced an interesting Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional computer designed for cab mounting in trucks. The VC6096 includes a VGA-resolution touchscreen display, 65-key QWERTY keyboard, GPS, HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, and integrated telematics support, the company says.
(Click here for a larger view of Motorola VC6096)
Motorola's MC75
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Motorola's VC6096 is similar in many ways to the company's many handheld computers, which also run Windows Mobile. For example, one smaller relative is the 6 x 3.3 x 1.7 inch MC75 (right) released in June, which has a 624MHz Marvell PXA270 processor, a SiRF starIII GPS chipset, a 640 x 480 display, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GSM telephony.
The VC6096 adopts all the above ingredients, but wraps them in a package designed for fixed mounting in a big rig. The device has grown to 9.53 x 9.25 x 1.95 inches (242 x 235 x 49.5mm), allowing it to house a 6.5-inch display, a backlit QWERTY keyboard, five-way controller, and five user-programmable hot keys.
Like most of Motorola's smaller handhelds, the VC6096 is still said to meet IP64 standards for resistance to dust and liquids, and various MIL-STD-810 standards for withstanding shock and vibration. The device won't spend its life getting dropped on concrete floors, however, because it doesn't offer an internal battery. Instead, it's designed to run on vehicle power, and is compatible with input voltages from 10VDC to 33VDC, the company says.
The VC6096 includes 128MB of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, and an SD expansion slot whose capacity is unfortunately limited to 2GB (i.e., it is not SDHC-compatible). As suggested earlier, the device includes both WiFi and Bluetooth. Meantime, its GPS capabilities are used not only to provide drivers with navigation assistance, but also to relay location information to dispatchers, says Motorola.
The computer includes "3.5G" cellular capabilities, with HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) compatibility. Voice calls can be made too, either with the device's internal speaker and microphone or with the aid of a Bluetooth headset, says Motorola.
Compared to a handheld, the VC6096 offers more in the way of interfaces. There is not only a USB 1.1 device port with Mini USB connector, but also two USB 1.1 host ports with standard Type A connectors. The USB hosts would allow connecting peripherals such as barcode readers, Motorola notes.
The VC6096 includes a 10/100 Ethernet port, with RJ45 connector. Additionally, it has a 50-pin auxiliary port that can support two RS232 serial plugs, eight digital inputs and outputs, two analog inputs, and the SAE J1708 or J1939 vehicle bus standards.
By linking to a truck's data bus, the VC6096 can monitor a wide variety of information, including fuel consumption, RPM, and braking, Motorola notes. The device's analog inputs can monitor variables such as the temperature of a refrigerated load, the company adds.
Features and specifications listed by Motorola for the VC6096 include:- Processor -- Marvell PXA270 clocked at 624MHz
- Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage
- Display -- 6.5-inch touchscreen display with VGA (640 x 480) resolution
- Keyboard --65-key backlit QWERTY keyboard, five-way controller, five programmable hot keys
- Networking:
- LAN -- 10/100 Ethernet port
- WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g (shares external antenna with cellular radio)
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- WAN -- GSM (frequencies not specified), with HSDPA data mode
- GPS -- SiRF starIII chipset, with external antenna
- Other I/O:
- 2 x USB 1.1 host
- 1 x USB 1.1 device
- 50-pin auxiliary port, supporting:
- 2 x RS232
- 8 digital inputs
- 8 digital outputs
- 2 analog inputs, up to 34V maximum
- Expansion -- SD slot
- Power requirements -- 10 to 33 VDC
- Dimensions -- 9.53 x 9.25 x 1.95 inches (242 x 235 x 49.5mm)
- Weight -- 4.85 pounds (2.2kg)
- Operating temperature -- 20 to 60 deg. C
The VC6096 is apparently available now, though pricing was not specified. More information, including details of various accessory cables, may be found at the company's website, here.
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