Panasonic have announced a new lightweight rugged tablet device that combines the functionalities of a phone, tablet and mobile barcode reader.
The Toughpad FZ-N1 is designed to withstand drops of up to 1.8 metres, along dust and submersion in 100cm of water for up to 30 minutes with IP65 and IP67 certification. It is also able to withstand temperatures from below -10?C to 50?C
The tablet has been built to increase productivity while reducing the risk of workplace health problems like Repetitive Strain Injury through features including an ergonomic barcode reader.
“With the boom in online spending and shipping volumes, some workers could be scanning hundreds of barcodes a day,” said Stuart Buxton, Senior Product Manager, Toughbook, Panasonic.
Mr Buxton cites research conducted by the Australian Logistics Council, which estimates that a 1% increase in supply chain efficiency in Australia could deliver a $2 billion benefit to the economy.
“The FZ-N1’s ergonomic angled barcode reader has been created for ease of use and has the potential to increase efficiency and at the same time provide greater comfort for workers,” Mr Buxton added.
Other features include a daylight readable 4.7-inch display, 4G connectivity with dual SIM card support, 100 decibel speakers and triple noise-cancelling microphones. A quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon powers the FZ-N1,which is running Android Lollipop.
The standard battery, which Panasonic claims can last longer than an 8-hour work shift, can be swapped out while the device is still operational. Quick charging allows the device to be fully charged in two hours, while a extended life battery is also available for extended use.
Panasonic’s Toughpad FZ-N1 will be available this month for RRP $2,799.
