On October 6, 2008, Motorola introduced a very interesting addition to its line of vehicle-based panel computers. The VC6096 combines a robust Windows CE 6.1-based computer with GPS, integrated 3.5G wireless voice and data, engine computer connectivity, as well as digital I/O for communication with various sensors into an all-in-one transportation logistics solution.
What all of this means is that, in theory, there's little the VC6096 cannot do. It's a powerful Windows CE-based computer that can run thousands of applications. It supports voice and data via high-speed cellular service, which means it can be used for voice calls as well as for data transmission. It has integrated WiFi and Blutooth, which facilitates Web browsing or high-speed data transfer when within range of a hotspot or company wireless network, and drivers can use Bluetooth-connected peripherals including bardcode readers and imagers. Integrated GPS means not only mapping and direction, but also any number of location-based services. However, there is much more.
Since the VC6096 has both GPS and high speed cellular GSM/EDGE HSDPA data connectivity, it can communicate and interact with all sorts of vehicle monitoring systems. Further, the unit's digital and analog ports can interact with the vehicle's engine management computer (usually called Electronic Control Unit, or ECU), onboard machinery, or any type of sensor. This kind of bi-directional real-time data can be used for all sorts of fleet management systems. Depending on the application, the VC6096 can communicate where it is, how fast the vehicle is going, as well as report adherence to driving policies, emergencies, and vehicle systems performance. This data can be used to manage Less-Than-Truckload, Truck-Load, and Over-The-Road operations, determine maintenance requirements, respond to problems, provide safety and theft deterrance, and record and communicate mission critical analog data such as, for example, vehicle refrigeration data. The system could be programmed not to start if outside of an electronic "security fence," locks its doors, or perform similar tasks.
As a fixed mobile mount device, the VC6096 uses vehicle power instead of an interna battery. It can handle anything between 10 and 33 Volt.
The VC6096 has a tough aluminum shell and is built to withstand extreme operating conditions. It has a very wide operating temperature range of between -4 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit and has been tested for thermal shock (-40 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit). It is sealed to IP64 specifications, which means it is dustproof and can handle splashing from any direction. It's vibration and shock-tested according to MIL-STD-810F standards.
Physically, the VC6096 is larger than it looks on this picture. The unit has a footprint of 9.5 x 9.25 inches, is about two inches thick, and weighs about five pounds. The TFT color touchscreen display measures 6.5 inches diagonally. We do not know what type of display technology or anti-reflection coating it uses, but Motorola claims indoor and outdoor viewability. Resolution is standard VGA 640 x 480 pixels, adequate for almost all vehicle-based applications. Onboard expansion is provided by a SD Card slot which, unfortunately, does neither support SDIO nor SDHC and is thus limited to memory cards of 2GB and less.
The VC6096's design combines the fairly large display with a large backlit keyboard that actually provides an almost full-scale QWERTY layout (96.5%). There are also plenty of other hardware controls for brightness and audio as well as five programmable softkeys and the Windows CE-standard application keys.
The VC6096 has excellent onboard connectivity. There are two USB 1.1 host connections plus a mini-B connector, a 10/100 Base T RJ45 jack, and a 50-pin auxiliary port that supports two RS232 serial plugs, eight digital inputs and outputs each, two analog inputs, and SAE J1708 or J1939. SAE J1939 is the vehicle bus standard used for communication and diagnostics between vehicle components in cars and heavy trucks including engine ECUs; J1708 is an older version of the standard.
The application potential of the VC6096 in fleet management, automated vehicle location and location based systems is tremendous and only limited by the imagination of systems developers.
