rugged technology

(Source – Getac)

Three ways responsible rugged technology can champion sustainable efforts

Article by Christin Wang, global branding and marketing director at Getac

With more and more countries committing to tackling climate change, it is evident that hitting sustainability targets are top of mind for many businesses. Whether this means reducing overall environmental impact or exploring new ways for sustainable development, businesses need to make environmental protection a top priority. However, only those who take definitive action and have clear metrics can help move the needle. Though one may not readily associate rugged technology with environmental protection, it plays an important role in helping organizations work more efficiently toward meeting their sustainability goals.

Supporting environmental research in the field

Being able to work in a challenging environment is critical for those working and conducting environmental research in the field, rugged devices, such as laptops and tablets, with high adaptability and the ability to withstand inclement weather, extreme temperatures and hostile conditions are essential. Many businesses operating in remote and challenging work environments require rugged solutions with long battery life and stable connectivity to strengthen their usefulness in time-consuming projects.

Studying the hearing systems of marine mammals calls for highly specialized equipment that can stand up to extreme conditions at sea. Given the nature of their work, the National Marine Mammal Foundation recognized the need to equip their teams with a rugged and dependable mobile computing solution. With the support of rugged devices, their team was able to focus on the core of their work, studying the impact of ocean noise on their subjects directly in their natural habitat.

Similarly, we have witnessed the success of rugged technology in its ability to help assess the effects of land use on nature. As one of the largest open research platforms in Europe, Biodiversity Exploratories studies biodiversity on farmed plots of forest and grassland. By adopting rugged tablets equipped with specialized software, extended durability and connectivity, researchers were able to conduct an inventory of around 35,000 trees within the freezing, humid winter research period.

Improving efficiency in minimizing environmental impact

While long distances for industrial vehicles often translate to high diesel consumption and excessive tire wear, Italy-based company Pesci Attrezzature was able to utilize ruggedized solutions to prioritize vehicle safety and correct axle alignment for trucks. Correct alignment means reducing fuel consumption and tire wear, which helps minimize overall carbon dioxide emissions and fine dust particles generated by the breakdown of tires, allowing a traditional industry to embark on a sustainable journey.

Exploring new possibilities for sustainable development

It is no secret that technology plays an important role in shaping the sustainability agenda, however, it also demonstrates how the right rugged technology can help generate new ideas for sustainable developments. A great example is 4×4 Electric, a fully electric, self-sufficient car expedition from the Netherlands to South Africa and back. With a rugged computing solution integrated within the car, which demonstrates the power of sustainable technology and enables more to explore new possibilities in creating a greener tomorrow.

Sustainability initiatives and strategies are crucial for companies to reduce their environmental impact and become socially responsible. However, having the right rugged technology is equally important in driving success. This calls for rugged solutions – devices, software, accessories, and support services – to enable more efficient and sustainable practices while meeting business goals.

The views in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of Tech Wire Asia.