Eurotech, a supplier of embedded technologies, products, and systems, announced their family of rugged handheld mobile computers in November of 2010. Initial products include the HRC-4200 and the HRC-3100 described here. The HRC-3100 certainly complies with Eurotech's mission "to integrate state-of-the-art computing and communication technologies into miniaturized and user-friendly solutions to improve everyday life, making it simpler, safer and more comfortable."
The Eurotech HRC-3100 is ergonomically designed to be small handheld computer and communicator for use in a wide range of mobile applications such as retail stores, warehousing, field service, manufacturing or supply chain. Measuring 5.7 x 2.8 x 1.45 inches and weighing just eight ounces, the HRC-3100 is small and light enough to fit into any pocket and to be taken anywhere. Its 2.8-inch display has Pocket PC-standard QVGA 240 x 320 pixel resolution that can dynamically switch between landscape and portrait.
Like the larger HRC-4200, the HRC-3100 is based on mature field-tested technology, running the highly configurable and versatile Windows CE 5.0 on the 520MHz version of the Marvell PXA270 application processor. There's 128MB of RAM, a gigabyte of non-volatile Flash, and a user-accessible mini-SD card slot for additional storage.
The HRC-3100 has a touch screen and is designed to be operated via stylus or touch. There are three buttons on top and two buttons on each side, all programmable. By default, the top keys will probably be used to answer and hangup the unit's VoIP comms system and issue an "enter." The side keys are likely used for the 1D CMOS-based scanner.
Wired connectivity is provided by host and client USB via either a travel plug, or the unit's basic or multi-purpose docking station. Wireless communications is via 802.11b/g WiFi.
The HRC-3100 has a 8.9 watt-hour Li-Ion battery. Eurotech doesn't specify battery life.
As far as ruggedness goes, the HRC-3100 carries IP54 sealing, which means it is protected against dust and can handle water spray from all directions. It can also handle 4-foot drops onto concrete and operate within a wide temperature range of 14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Eurotech is a designer and manufacturer of a range of cost-effective embedded single board computers, application-ready platforms and configurable systems for customers within the digital signage, multimedia, communications, wireless, medical, point of sale and industrial engineering industries. Eurotech USA, with corporate headquarters in Columbia, MD, is a subsidiary of Italian Eurotech Group S.p.A.
