How to Build a Better Ruggedized Device

We all know how easily a device can get destroyed. I have personal experience. I dropped an iPhone on my garage floor. That was the last time I carried a phone that didn’t have a case. I picked up a laptop by the screen (you used to be able to do this!). That destroyed the screen.

So what about military personnel? Their work environments are far more threatening to devices than my home. They may be in dusty setting with extreme temperatures. EMTs and construction workers also face rough environments at work.

Getting the device to survive extreme conditions requires specialized design and testing. We caught up with Dominick Passanante, VP of the Mobility Business Division at Panasonic Connect North America, to get the lowdown on how to design devices for the worst possible conditions.

What types of devices are considered to be “rugged”?

Dominick Passanante: The primary differences between rugged-grade and consumer-grade devices are durability, reliability, and purpose-built functionality. For most users, a consumer-grade laptop or tablet can survive average wear-and-tear in the office or home. These types of environments don’t warrant extreme durability.

This isn’t the case for the mission-critical mobile workforce. Mobile workers – like utility personnel, police officers, military officials, firefighters, construction professionals, and more – are constantly on the go and, like most of us, rely on their computing devices to get their jobs done. But since their work is outside the confines of a traditional office – like a battlefield or high-up fixing a wind turbine – devices are at greater risk of high drops, extreme weather and temperatures, water, dust, and shocks. When devices don’t work, overheat, crack, or are unable to connect, it’s not a matter of shutting down for the day or reverting to a phone or desktop. It means mission-critical frontline workers are taken away from duty.

To ensure work gets done no matter the conditions, mobile workers require laptops, 2-in-1s, and tablets that are engineered and tested with these needs in mind. Panasonic Connect engineers the TOUGHBOOK line of solutions to meet these needs.

What are the environments that a ruggedized device might face?

Dominick Passanante: The working conditions for mobile workers are different depending on location, job type, and day-to-day responsibilities. However, key considerations for field workers when choosing their rugged mobile devices are durability, the ability to perform in any weather conditions, and battery life and longevity when not able to charge or dock the computer. For example, workers in construction, utilities, and field service need devices that can withstand rain or shine, as most of their job is done outdoors. Furthermore, screens must be readable in the most extreme sunlight. This requires devices that are anti-glare and have high brightness, so users can read what’s on their screens no matter the time of day. Touchscreens or touch pads also need to function when affected by moisture, dust, and dirt. Because of this, they look for devices that are glove-touch compatible and waterproof.

Police officers, firefighters, and EMS workers need devices that can operate in and out of vehicles, such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. Rugged mobile devices can be easily integrated into these vehicles and docked to withstand vibration, while simultaneously being easy to remove to take along on the scene. Noise is also a factor, as first responders need to be able to communicate with fellow personnel and those in need despite the loud nature of mission-critical scenes. Unlike consumer-grade devices, rugged mobile devices boast high decibel speakers (many up to 95db), dual-array microphones, and artificial intelligence to reduce background noise pickup. For police officers, the superior audio capabilities help improve speech recognition accuracy during critical interactions in a squad car or on the scene of a crime, when information is critical.

No matter the environment, all mobile workers need devices that operate 24/7. Rugged mobile devices knock consumer-grade laptops and tablets out of the park when it comes to operating times, thanks to their long-lasting battery life. With consumer-grade devices, workers complain about short battery times and are often uncertain about when devices or accessories are going to fail. With the mission-critical nature of mobile workers’ jobs, they can’t risk having devices fail on-site. Rugged mobile devices, especially Panasonic’s TOUGHBOOK line, have incredibly low device failure rates and battery life that can last up to 36 hours. Plus, Smart Battery service monitors battery performance and helps workers replace them before they fail, bringing a proactive approach to workforce and fleet management.

What type of testing goes into a ruggedized device?

Dominick Passanante: The testing for rugged devices is rigorous. The United States Department of Defense has set the standard for rugged device performance, which is known as MIL-Spec. To meet the high requirements for rugged device consideration, manufacturers examine how their devices operate under a range of stress tests and environmental conditions. Each of these tests can be modified based on the needs of specific markets or customers. The most common tests include drop, altitude, waterproof, and temperature testing, as well as measuring the impact of vibrations, thermal shock, sand and dust, and explosive atmospheres. We’re talking 160 degrees to -60 degrees Fahrenheit and altitude testing of more than 15,000 feet above sea level.

In addition to looking out for this testing certification, I recommend buyers go a layer deeper than rugged standards when looking for a solutions partner. Many devices might meet these standards, but it’s important that mobile workers consider how devices are engineered and harness those that are equal parts rugged and smart. High levels of computing power and connectivity offerings are similarly important to durability, as fast and seamless communication is critical to mobile workers’ jobs. This includes equipping devices with the latest GPU technologies alongside Bluetooth, 4G / 5G, and Wi-Fi 6E.

What are the challenges during the design process?

Dominick Passanante: A key challenge during the design process is developing a singular durable device that meets the needs of all our customers. With users working in a variety of fields and conditions, priorities and expectations of what devices should deliver can vary. But no matter the customer’s industry, it’s our challenge to meet their job-specific demands. Doing this means engineering devices that offer modularity, customization, and flexibility.

At Panasonic Connect, we’ve solved this challenge by developing xPAKs, which are removable, modular expansion areas where customers can add differing capabilities to devices based on their needs. This includes add-ons like optional smart card readers, optical drives, fingerprint scanners, barcode readers, and more. This gives customers the simplicity of deploying one base unit or SKU, with the ability to update or change capabilities at the pace with which their operations dictate.

Another challenge during the design process is implementing increased computing power and battery performance while still maintaining the highest level of durability and functionality. This is something we’ve been able to overcome as we’ve expanded and upgraded our lineup by re-designing the look and feel of our devices over time. This is in addition to optimizing insulation and heat dispersion to avoid thermal expansion, which is an all-too-common problem across the enterprise.

Are ruggedized devices designed to last longer than conventional devices? If so, how are they future-proofed?

Dominick Passanante: Rugged devices are designed to last longer than conventional devices, ranging from five to ten years of use. However, the rapid nature of digital transformation is concerning for many teams of mobile workers, because to take advantage of these updates, they often must purchase new rugged fleets. Luckily, offering tools like xPAKs future-proofs rugged devices, saves teams significant amounts of time and money deploying new laptops and tablets, and offers an average shelf life of seven years.

Because of the modular nature of xPAKs, teams can remove and add any additional capabilities they need to the device rather than having to buy an entirely new one. A current example is the rising demand for more secure operating systems. Rather than having to buy a completely new fleet of devices that offer integrated fingerprint or smart card readers, teams can just purchase an attachable smart card reader xPAK to add user authentication and contactless card support. With growing technological advancements, the need to incorporate advanced technologies into devices is only going to expand. By offering customizable add-ons like xPAKs, customers can take advantage of existing devices while still adopting much-needed technologies.

Ensuring devices are future-proofed also requires manufacturers to support customers beyond device design. As the field service and public sector industries continue to face labor shortages, there are less people available to deploy, monitor, and service the devices that teams rely on. Without strong IT teams, workers can’t properly maintain their devices, which ultimately means a shorter shelf-life. Manufacturers can support customers by offering managed IT services, deployment assistance, and long-term support. These offerings alleviate burdens by providing on-site assistance, product engineering expertise, and customized solutions to meet customer needs before and during the product lifecycle. This ensures device longevity, so field workers can take advantage of their technology when and where they need it.