On February 6, 2012, DAP Technologies announced it had previewed their new V1010 vehicle-mount rugged computer at the Modex manufacturing, distribution and supply chain industries show in Atlanta, GA.
As of early February 2012, DAP has not provided a full spec sheet, and details about the new device are sketchy. What we do know is that customers will be able to order the V1010 running either Windows Embedded 7 or Windows CE 6.0. By "Embedded 7," we assume DAP means Embedded Standard 7 (an embedded version of Windows 7 and formerly known as XPe) and not Embedded Compact 7 (another name for Windows CE 7).
Offering both OS platforms requires a processor that can do both, and DAP chose the 1.3GHz Intel Atom E660T, a 45nm single-core embedded design that Intel unveiled late 2010 as part of its "Tunnel Creek" lineup. It's a very frugal chip with a thermal design power of just 3.6 watts, and DAP already has experience with it as the E660T is also used in their M9010 that was introduced in May of 2011.
Depending on the intended OS, V1010 devices can be equipped with up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM and Solid State Drives up to 32GB.
On the display side, the DAP V1010 has a 10-inch touch screen offering full 1024 x 768 resolution with conventional 4:3 aspect ratio. This display size also complements DAP's already available 7-inch and 12-inch solutions.
In terms of communication, the V1010 offers wireless USB, an interesting techology that we haven't seen much as of yet. What wireless USB does is enable USB connections of up to 480 Mbit/s (i.e. USB 2.0 speed) within ten feet. That's certainly enough for connectivity within vehicles, and can cut down the use of cables. DAP has also been an early adopter of ZigBee wireless technology, a low-power IEEE 802.15.4-2003-based sensor technology increasingly used for everything from smart-grid power management to home and building automation. DAP also makes available Gobi 3000 for total carrier and wireless technlogy independence, and inclusion of GPS.
While most V1010's will be hardwired into forklifts and other industrial vehicles, the computer is also equipped with its own internal UPS battery that can provide continuous power for up to four hours. This not only offers assurances against glitches in vehicle power, but also minimizes downtime when transferring a computer between different vehicles.
For mounting, there's DAP's new docking system, a quick-connect/disconnect modular intelligent design that not only powers, secures, protects and connects, but can do so via wireless USB. This means V1010s can co-exist with DAP M9010 tablets.
There are a lot of vehicle mount computers, but we have to give DAP kudos for thinking outside the box and offering solutions and technologies you can't find an aywhere else. We hope we'll see full specs soon so we can complete our preliminary assessment of this interesting addition (expected to be available in Q4 of 2012) to the vehicle-mount computer spectrum.
