6 February, 2023

Rugged Tablets with Built-in 60-ft Range

Posted on 6 February, 20231 August, 2025 by David Priestman

DT Research, a leading designer and manufacturer of purpose-built computing solutions for vertical markets, today announced the company’s DT362GL (6-inch) and DT382GL (8-inch) rugged tablets have been enhanced with built-in 60-foot range Barcode Scanners in addition to 30-foot range Ultra High Frequency (UHF) RFID readers to continue to deliver cutting-edge long-range asset verification and tracking capabilities. The DT362GL and DT382GL handhelds now run the Microsoft® Windows® 11 IoT Enterprise operating system, which enables a seamless field-to-office asset management experience.

The new long-range asset tracking capabilities within the DT362GL and DT382GL have been purpose-built for utility, military and other industrial warehouse environments.

“While the use of RFID tags continues to grow, barcode scanning remains a favoured tool for asset tracking because of the lower cost, high reliability in a broader set of environments, and the ability to identify a specific serial number on an item within a pallet or container,” said Daw Tsai, President of DT Research. “Therefore many organizations use both barcode and RFID tags during asset tracking and inventory management processes. These enhanced DT362GL and DT382GL rugged tablets provide our customers with a comprehensive long-range asset tracking solution within a compact and durable, yet robust mobile device running the latest Windows® OS.”

Long Range Barcode Scanning

The barcode scanners built into the DT362GL and DT382GL rugged tablets are equipped with special scan engines that enable them to read 1D and 2D barcodes up to 60 feet away. In utility, military and other warehouse environments, asset tags can be located 30-40 feet from the ground or located in hard-to-reach areas. The 60-foot range barcode scanner saves users time and improves worker safety by eliminating the need to climb ladders and crawl over equipment.

UHF RFID Reader

The DT362GL and DT382GL rugged tablets include an optional embedded UHF RFID module powered by Jadak ThingMagic technology, which enables secure access verification within 16 feet or up to a 30 foot range using an external pistol grip antenna. UHF RFID readers have a broad range of uses, from inventory and equipment management without manual data entry to locating underground infrastructure assets such as gas pipelines and sewer lines.

“Our customers have told us that asset verification and visibility is essential to them, but it can be labour intensive, time-consuming and expensive,” said Rob Droppa, GM, Government Solutions. “Studies have shown it can take up to five minutes to capture all the information necessary to verify an asset in a warehouse or the field and errors in data entry cost about $300 on average to correct. But by using our purpose-built, Windows® powered mobile devices to scan barcodes and read RFID tags at long ranges, it’s possible to capture the information of multiple assets within seconds and significantly improve the accuracy of the data captured.”

The DT362GL and DT382GL fanless handhelds are IP65 rated and MIL-STD-810G to deliver reliable operation in harsh and mission-critical environments with a hot-swappable battery pack that enables continuous operation. Both indoor and outdoor viewing is made possible through high brightness capacitive touch screens. These rugged handhelds offer seamless information capture and transmission in both secure and non-secure environments through a combination of barcode scanning, UHF RFID, smart card readers, dedicated GNSS modules and cameras.

The DT362GL and DT382G rugged tablets offer a robust set of features and options that include:

* Military-grade Durability and Reliability: IP65-rated for water and dust resistance, MIL-STD- 810G certified for shock and vibration protection. FCC Class B, RoHS compliant and HERO (Hazard of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance) certified. NIST compliant BIOS available.
* Indoor-Outdoor Display: 6-inch (DT362GL) or 8-inch (DT382GL) LED-backlight screen with capacitive touch and digital pen support.
* Long Range Barcode Scanner: Reads 1D and 2D barcodes up to 60 feet away.
* UHF RFID Reader: 865 – 928MHz, EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2/ ISO 18000-6C.
Reading distance of 16 ft (4.87m) with built-in ThingMagic micro module and embedded antenna. Reading Distance of 30 ft (9.1m) with trigger grip.
* Enterprise Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 10 or 11 IoT Enterprise.
* Wireless Communications: Wi-Fi 802.11ac and 4.2 LE Bluetooth.
* High Performance and Energy Efficient: Intel® Pentium® Silver 4-core processor.
* Smart Card Reader: Built-in Common Access Card (CAC) full slot reads ISO 7816 T=0, T=1; 1.8/3/5V smart cards.
* Continuous Operation: Hot-swappable battery pack eliminates downtime.
* Security: NIST compliant BIOS available.
* Back Camera: 8 megapixel back camera with auto focus, white balance, gain control and exposure control.
* GNSS Module: U-blox M8 GNSS module with concurrent reception of GPS & GLONASS; Industry-Leading – 167 dBm navigation sensitivity.
* Certifications: C1D2 – Groups A, B, C and D. HERO (Hazard of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance) certified.
* TAA Compliant: Manufactured in compliance with the requirements of the Trade Agreement Act (TAA).

Availability

The DT362GL and DT382GL rugged handheld tablets are immediately available from DT Research’s authorized distributors and resellers.

Rugged Tablets with Built-in 60-ft Range

Posted on 6 February, 20231 August, 2025 by David Priestman

The new long-range asset tracking capabilities within the DT362GL and DT382GL have been purpose-built for utility, military and other industrial warehouse environments.

Long Range Barcode Scanning

UHF RFID Reader

The DT362GL and DT382G rugged tablets offer a robust set of features and options that include:

Availability

The DT362GL and DT382GL rugged handheld tablets are immediately available from DT Research’s authorized distributors and resellers.

Safe Access Issues for Overhead Conveyors

Posted on 6 February, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

The LOBO System, a leading provider of modular access solutions, has recently supported KNAPP, a global automation and logistics company, with a safe access issue for overhead conveyors.

The LOBO System provided a customized bespoke solution that addressed safety concerns and increased the efficiency of the conveyor systems.

KNAPP faced the challenge of providing safe access for maintenance and inspection of their overhead conveyors. The LOBO System provided a modular access solution that allowed for safe and easy access to the conveyors without disrupting the flow of operations. In addition, the solution included customizable and long staging platforms, making it easy for engineers to access the conveyors.

The LOBO System’s solution not only addressed the safety concerns but also increased the efficiency of the conveyor systems. The modular design allowed for quick and easy installation, reducing downtime and increasing productivity. The solution was also designed to be easily reconfigurable, allowing for future changes to the conveyor systems.

The product is designed to improve safety, reduce labour costs, and increase efficiency for businesses in the automated distribution industry. It is the perfect solution as the system is lightweight, easy to transport and can be assembled by just one person with no tools required.

“We are thrilled to have supported KNAPP in resolving their access issue. Our modular access platform solutions are designed to meet each customer’s specific needs, making it easy to address safety concerns while increasing efficiency,” said Tom Bokros, Senior Technical Sales Engineer at LOBO Systems.

The LOBO Advanced Platform System is a modular maintenance work platform that offers safe working at height configurable to any shape. It is perfect for accessing maintenance areas, conveyors, facilities and machinery.

The KNAPP Group is a global provider of intelligent automation solutions for intralogistics and manufacturing, specializing in healthcare, fashion/apparel, general retail, food retail, industry and service.

Safe Access Issues for Overhead Conveyors

Posted on 6 February, 2023 by David Priestman

The LOBO System, a leading provider of modular access solutions, has recently supported KNAPP, a global automation and logistics company, with a safe access issue for overhead conveyors.

The LOBO System provided a customized bespoke solution that addressed safety concerns and increased the efficiency of the conveyor systems.

Multi-storey Warehouse Automation

Posted on 6 February, 202325 July, 2025 by David Priestman

As available space for storage and distribution is scarce and therefore expensive, the trend towards multi-storey warehouse buildings is increasing. A new module from Lödige Industries allows both automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to interact with different lift systems to move up to 20 tonnes total weight vertically. Goods and freight lifts are thus intelligently networked with autonomous transport vehicles, enabling automated material transport across multiple floors.

The automation module is compatible with both the Olympus freight lift and the Sherpa and Escorta goods lifts. There are various options for communication between the lift and the fleet management system. For example, parametric interfaces are offered for the Olympus goods lift, which reduce the need for cables and communicate directly with the fleet management system. In future, this variant will also be available for the Sherpa and Escorta models. The new system is already being used in industrial production areas, for example in the automotive industry.

“Through the intelligent integration of goods lifts, the range and thus the cost advantage of automated guided vehicles can be extended quickly and easily, even in existing buildings and confined spaces. Especially in combination with our Olympus goods lift, completely new possibilities arise for our customers in the heavy load range of up to 20 t or more,” says Tobias Wennekamp, Chief Product Officer at Lödige Industries.

The mechanical engineer with a doctorate has been responsible for the product portfolio and thus also for new technologies of the internationally active provider of logistics systems and lift solutions since 1 December 2022. “Due to the strong growth in e-commerce as well as the increasing lack of personnel, AGVs and AMR are important levers to optimise the performance of intralogistics processes. In addition, there is the trend towards multi-storey production and warehouse facilities, which are already established in China and are currently on the rise in Europe as well. Accordingly, the demand for an automatic integration solution for goods and goods lifts has risen in recent years and will continue to increase.

For the new Chief Product Officer, the task is a return to the roots of his professional career. In 1999, he completed his training as a technical product designer at Lödige Industries and thus began his professional career. After holding various positions, Wennekamp was most recently Head of Global Product Management at Continental in the Conveying Solutions business unit.

Lödige Industries is a leading global supplier of logistics systems for air freight, warehousing and industry, lift solutions and parking systems, based in Germany. With branches all over the world, Lödige Industries provides material handling solutions for a wide range of customers. Founded in 1948, the medium-sized family business specialises in the supply of complex material handling systems from planning, design, manufacturing, programming and commissioning to service. Lödige Industries is the world market leader for air cargo terminals.

Multi-storey Warehouse Automation

Posted on 6 February, 2023 by David Priestman

Automation: Key to Sustainable Warehousing

Posted on 6 February, 202325 July, 2025 by David Priestman

The way to sustainable warehousing is through automation, says Craig Whitehouse, Managing Director of Invar Group.

Creating more sustainable logistics operations is a priority for businesses, governments and increasingly, consumers. The warehouse is the beating heart of the supply chain, but it may not be immediately obvious that investment in warehouse automation can significantly contribute to sustainability goals.

On the face of it, automation may appear resource heavy, requiring metals, plastics and electrical power. How can this be more sustainable than resource- and energy-light manual processes?
However, sustainability isn’t just about the headline issues of rare earth metals and carbon emissions, important though these are. We need sustainability in land use and water management, in transport capacity, in the reduction of waste in all its forms, in enabling the goods and packages we handle themselves to be more sustainable. Further, labour and money are also finite resources, which need to be managed sustainably. Automation, of physical processes and of control systems, can contribute to achieving sustainability goals in all these areas.

Consider, for example, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) in all their variety. By using high-density storage right up to the eaves and in very narrow aisles, the required building footprint, with its associated impact on hydrology, can be reduced – along with the amount of steel and concrete that goes into construction. ASRS can save energy too, as lights-out operations are often possible, and less empty space is being heated, air-conditioned, or refrigerated.

Automated processes, perhaps combining ASRS, conveyor runs and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), can greatly reduce or even eliminate the requirement for carbon-emitting forklift trucks – with all the health and safety benefits of a reduced exposure to the possibility of collisions, back injuries and repetitive strain grievances. And as labour is a scarce resource in itself, freeing people up for more thoughtful, dexterous tasks.

However, automation can offer even more. The automated loading/unloading of vehicles reduces waiting time and thus the yard space required, enables more efficient vehicle utilisation, and again has safety benefits. Automated handling can also reduce waste through lowering stock damage, and with the latest packaging innovations can facilitate the use of ‘greener’ packaging solutions, with less waste of cardboard as a result of more compact packages.

These benefits can be amplified through the appropriate use of automated planning, management and control systems. Warehouse simulation, together with tailored Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), can optimise layout and activities to minimise movements and thus energy consumption – for example, by minimising the number of movements in and out of cold stores. A well-attuned WMS can also contribute to more efficient and sustainable use of transport, making it is easier to plan and assemble full loads for a destination within the necessary timescale. Automated goods-to-person order picking using, increasingly more affordable mobile robots combined with pick-to-light technology, or voice with human operators, can reduce mis-picks, and thus waste and returns.

Meanwhile, environment management systems can save on heat, refrigeration, and turn the lights off when an area of the warehouse is free of workers. Management systems for AGVs and AMRs can, within limits, plan for vehicle recharging off-peak, which is both cheaper and may reduce the demand for fossil-based energy generation.

Finally, machine monitoring systems informing preventative maintenance procedures can ensure that equipment is operating at peak energy efficiency as well as contributing to safe and healthy operation, while the general use of digital systems can greatly reduce the operation’s consumption of paper. These are just some of the automation options which, sensibly combined, can make a real contribution across the whole range of sustainability goals of the business, from climate change to human welfare and, yes, sustainable profitability.

Invar Group, headquartered in Cranfield UK, is focused on delivering complete turnkey warehouse automation solutions using advanced technologies such as industrial robotics, AMR goods-to-person solutions, pick-to-light technology, sortation systems, as well as conventional warehouse automation. The Group comprises: Invar Systems, a developer of warehouse control and management systems; Invar Integration (Greenstone Systems), a front runner in solutions design, hardware integration and project management; and Invar Controls, specialists in the design, implementation and maintenance of PLC software and hardware.

Automation: Key to Sustainable Warehousing

Posted on 6 February, 2023 by David Priestman

The way to sustainable warehousing is through automation, says Craig Whitehouse, Managing Director of Invar Group.

Autonomous Robots, Data Intelligence

Posted on 6 February, 202325 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Leading London-based robotics and data intelligence company Dexory today announced the launch of their new, enhanced solution DexoryView – a revolutionary new platform that will change the way that warehouses are managed through the power of real-time data. DexoryView will be supported by a new Dexory robot – the tallest yet of its kind.

This new platform automates data collection and builds real-time digital twins that unlock insights across all levels of warehouse operations. This allows companies unprecedented and up-to-date access to their inventory – across the receiving, storing and dispatch stages – from anywhere and at any time. Not only will companies be able to automate their stock checks with this solution, but also keep track of occupancy, increasing efficiency and helping to facilitate profitable operations.

“The DexoryView platform offers a real-time representation of the state of your warehouse via an intuitive, easy to access digital format – including racking, all goods and machinery inside as well as the team working in the space,” said Andrei Danescu, Dexory CEO. “What makes the DexoryView platform unique is the way we constantly feed it with real-time information captured from warehouses through our autonomous robots.”

The new robot built to support DexoryView can extend up to 12m – an industry first. The range of height allows it to scan warehouses of any shape or size. With an array of high-quality 3D depth cameras and sensors, the robot autonomously navigates the warehouse using lidar technology to capture high-definition 3D scans of the space as well as any labels and barcodes on pallets, parcels or products.

These scans are fed straight into the platform to create accurate, real-time digital models of the status and condition of warehouse racks and items on them and are presented through an up-to-date digital twin of the warehouse. Offered as a convenient subscription model, companies can scale their DexoryView access based on their data needs.

“DexoryView is an innovative, cost-effective and time-efficient solution that is easy to implement, scale and adapt to specific needs. It requires no infrastructure changes and can often be up and running in less than a week,” says Oana Jinga, Dexory COO.

Founded in 2015, Dexory is a rapidly growing robotics company that collects real-time insights using fully autonomous, mobile robots to quickly process pallets at every stage in their journey throughout a warehouse. Working with major industry leaders such as Menzies Aviation, Maersk, Huboo, and a number of other logistics and warehousing companies in the UK and across Europe, Dexory provides solutions that optimise warehouse operations by integrating automation, data intelligence and digital twin technology.

Dexory captures real-time insights into warehouse operations using fully autonomous robots and Artificial Intelligence. Using autonomous technology to unlock data and drive insights through all levels of business operations, the company is helping customers boost their performance and unlock their full potential. Instant access to real-time data helps optimise the present, de-risk the future and discover the intractable in each location and at every stage of the product journey through the warehouse and onto dispatch. Founded in 2015, Dexory aims to transform the data-gathering operations of warehouse environments.

Autonomous Robots, Data Intelligence

Posted on 6 February, 2023 by David Priestman

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