Trimble Introduces Handheld AEI Reader for Rail Car and Cargo Inventory Tracking

Trimble Juno T41 R-AEI Rugged Computer Enables Increased Rail Worker Safety and Efficiency

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Oct 01, 2015, 06:30 ET

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) introduced today a rugged, handheld computer with an integrated Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID capability designed to read both the rail-industry specific Automatic Equipment Identification (AEI) tags and the Electronic Product Code (EPC) tags used worldwide—the Trimble® Juno® T41 R-AEI.

"Trimble's fundamental focus for the rail industry is to provide solutions that drive agility, improve efficiency and provide better visibility into operations to maximize productivity," said Jim Sheldon, general manager of Trimble's Mobile Computer Solutions Division. "With the introduction of the Juno T41 R-AEI, we are now expanding our broad range of solutions to include a powerful field computer that can provide flexibility, connectivity and real-time business intelligence to the rail industry RFID tracking and asset management."

Rail-Yard Rugged and Productive

North America and some specific international markets use a UHF RFID tag system that is unique to the rail industry—AEI tags. The Juno T41 R-AEI provides best-in-class read range, power and battery life to reading both AEI and the standard EPC UHF RFID tags simultaneously, so tagged rail cars and cargo such as exposed shipping pallets can be tracked across the transportation spectrum, regardless of tag standard.

The Juno T41 R-AEI's integrated, lightweight and rugged capability is also unique for AEI readers, allowing mobile workers to record, see and act on data in their hands in real time, instead of waiting on instruction from a back office that has received data remotely from a traditional fixed location reader dependent on rail cars moving by.

Mobile workers can stand as far away as 8 feet (2.4 meters) to read an AEI tag and more than 12 feet (3.5 meters) to read EPC tags. This range allows safety requirements to be met while still providing the flexibility for workers on foot walking near rail cars, that a fixed reader cannot. The Juno T41 R-AEI includes GSM/CDMA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth^® technology, which allows for instant connectivity between the worker in the field and back-office management.

The Juno T41 R-AEI can read tags in any direction or orientation where the reader is pointed—for quick and accurate reads. It offers a customized power transmission up to +30 dBm (1 watt) for RFID collection and reading applications. The Juno T41 R-AEI includes Enhanced GPS technology for accuracy of 3-6 feet (1-2 meters) for use with the UHF RFID solution. The handheld ideal for reading and geotagging the AEI and EPC tags in challenging outdoor environments.

Mobile Computing for Rail Applications

The Juno T41 R-AEI is not only a rail RFID reader—it's a handheld computer designed to provide the field computing power necessary to manage a wide variety of work requirements. With either a Microsoft^®Windows^®or Android™ operating system, the handheld computer can be used with rail business applications already in place.

With its large 4.3 inch sunlight-readable, Gorilla® Glass capacitive display screen and 32 GB flash memory, the Juno T41 R-AEI enables mobile workers in the rail yard to fill out forms, read and write documents and instructions, make notes, take pictures or videos and send them in real-time. Users can share and retrieve data seamlessly from anywhere in the rail yard with wireless connectivity.

Trimble provides a Software Development Kit (SDK) and APIs to assist with integration of the handheld computer into company software applications. Secure business applications can run on the Juno T41 R-AEI and the Android version can run third-party applications designed for Android 4+ level products.

Built-in Reliability

With an IP68 rating, the Juno T41 R-AEI model meets stringent requirements for dust and water protection and also meets military-grade standards of ruggedness for drops, temperature, altitude, humidity extremes, vibration, chemical exposure and shock. In addition, the Juno T41 R-AEI can operate in environments ranging from -30°C (-22°F) to 60°C (140°F)—the widest temperate range available among RFID readers used in the rail industry today.

Availability

The Juno T41 R-AEI is available now from Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions Division and selected rail-specialist dealers. For more information about the Juno T41 R-AEI, visit: http://trimblemcs.com/junot41r_AEI.html.

About Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions Division

Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions Division offers innovative products that enable mobile workers to be more efficient in extreme outdoor and industrial environments. The Juno T41, Nomad^®, Yuma^®2, and Ranger™ outdoor rugged handheld computers help users collect accurate field data and work more productively in any outdoor or service-related application. The PG200™ GNSS receiver is designed to bring Enhanced GPS capability to any mobile device. Trimble's rugged mobile computing solutions meet MIL-STD-810F/810G military specifications for drops, vibration, immersion and temperature extremes, and with IP65 to IP68 ratings, are sealed against water and dust.

To learn more, visit: www.trimble.com/mobile.

About Trimble's Railway Solutions

Trimble's Railway Solutions combine the latest in GPS/GNSS, optical, imaging, scanning and monitoring technologies with customized software and wireless communications enabling users to quickly and accurately capture the data needed to provide clients with actionable deliverables to maintain and construct railways as well as manage rail transport vehicles. Trimble's solutions use integrated processes and workflows for complete railway and rail vehicle lifecycle management—from the planning, design, construction and maintenance phases of the railway to the operation, maintenance and repair of rail transport vehicles. The solutions can streamline operations to keep railway projects on time and costs on target.

For more information, visit: http://www.trimble.com/rail.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.

GTRMB

SOURCE Trimble