Durabook Explores What the Future Holds for Rugged Devices in 2025
Demand for rugged devices that can support operatives in the most challenging environments remains strong, but customers’ needs across every sector continue to shape the models coming to market.
While developing technologies can improve organizations’ operations, security, flexibility and reliability remain primary requirements for manufacturers. Here, we discuss some key trends that have developed through the past year that we predict will remain relevant into 2025 and beyond.
drives innovation
While a competitive price point will always be a critical consideration in the decision-making process, customers are also looking for greater power, functionality and ruggedness from their devices, and these demands are shaping the manufacturing process.
Across our customer base, organizations are asking for more powerful devices with increased battery life, portability and greater screen quality, and we’re adapting our products accordingly. For example, our 8-inch R8 device offers increased RAM and a brighter screen without compromising power, durability or mobility. More customers are realizing the increased productivity provided by our powerful Thunderbolt™ and DynaVue® technology across our product portfolio. Last year, we also launched our R8-EX and U11I-EX models, certified to meet the European Union’s Atmospheres EXplosibles (ATEX) Zone 2/22 certification. These devices enable organizations to meet stringent safety requirements across the most hazardous and explosive environments, including the petrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
The versatility of ruggedized devices remains key as customers continue to switch from expensive purpose-built industry specific devices to more flexible Windows-based rugged tablets and laptops. This transition provides compatibility with consumer hardware and software from various developers, but also offers consistency between devices procured for in-office and field applications. Customization is another key factor that appeals to our customers. We provide exclusive levels of hardware and software customization that other vendors do not, while our purpose-built solutions are tailored to meet our customers’ unique needs.
Into 2025, we see sustainability continuing to shape demand as customers consider the environment and the lifetime of a device, while the emergence of AI, 5G and more sophisticated technology will continue to enhance the rugged device landscape.
a priority
Across every territory, and as cyber threats increase, the demand for enhanced security throughout our rugged tech portfolio is growing.
Biometric authentication, encryption and secure boot mechanisms are regular customer requirements as is the addition of Secured-Core PC and TPM 2.0, NIST BIOS compliance. Compatibility again is essential, especially in sectors such as the military where specific requirements mean working with third-party security hardware or software providers. Our customers continue to reference data integrity analysis, user authentication, data privacy and secure wireless connections as critical cybersecurity requirements. They also want to handle sensitive data securely by either removing I/O ports or customizing their rugged devices, such as adding RFID feature or Windows Hello and removing camera, to enhance security. The majority of our product portfolio also offers Windows 11 Secured-core PCs in collaboration with Microsoft for added security and to protect sensitive data on the move.
Cybersecurity will continue to be a top priority in the future, and key security features will be essential in developing rugged devices to safeguard sensitive data.
of Productivity
While AI is newly implemented in our devices, in many cases, sales of devices with AI are not related to it and, for now, customers seem indifferent to AI branding on rugged devices.
The most critical factors for customers are the fast processing of big data and building models. Therefore, updating the processor and CPU level in our rugged 14-inch laptops is a greater priority. However, AI can have a significant impact on preventive maintenance and diagnostics and we anticipate its growing influence there. Last year we launched both models, the Z14I and S14I laptops, designed to empower organizations within the utilities, field services, manufacturing and security sectors to enhance field operations with AI capabilities. By staying ahead of the curve, we are priming our customers to harness new AI PC experiences.
In future years, we predict that the integration of AI into rugged technology will become more prominent, leading to more autonomous processes, greater efficiencies and more intelligent decision-making for improved productivity.
Connected Anywhere
Poor connectivity poses multiple challenges for customers, from loss of signal and slow data exchange to interference, so increasingly sophisticated connectivity will be an increasingly key focus.
Across our territories, customers are increasingly reliant on dedicated GPS, 5G capability, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and the Internet of Things (IoT). Many of our customers also use third-part unit integration, mainly using rugged physical forms of connection. Defense clients rely on radio frequency communication that is vulnerable to jamming, while logistics, manufacturing and public sector clients require Bluetooth® connections over long distances. Durabook is committed to safeguarding connectivity by offering unrivalled battery power and robust connectivity. All our devices are equipped with powerful Thunderbolt™ 4 technology, to provide effective and flexible connectivity, and exceptional wireless capability, via Wi-Fi and optional GPS. Additional I/O ports provide flexible and reliable connectivity to the modern workspace while battery life of rugged mobile devices can last up to 24 hours, providing enough power for more than a dayshift in the field.
As reliable communication becomes increasingly important, rugged tech manufacturers, including Durabook, will continue to adapt their devices to offer unrivalled, versatile connectivity for operatives in every sector.
Lighter and Smarter
Technology will continue to fuel the advancement of rugged devices, with more reliable 5G integration and the emergence of AI/edge computing capabilities coming to prominence, but the balance between performance and durability is critical.
With the rising popularity of unmanned vehicles in the field, organizations across various sectors will continue to need rugged devices that can withstand heavy use in the most extreme conditions. In the coming years, we expect to see a robust expansion of the use of protected devices not only in the military and defense spheres but also in agriculture, utilities and field service. For example, the development of unmanned air/nautic and land vehicles and robots provides an excellent opportunity for rugged devices to control these vehicles. In the future, the balance will shift towards lightweight devices that don’t compromise durability while providing high processing power and military-grade ruggedness.
As the leading manufacturer of rugged devices, Durabook knows that customers each have their own specific requirements regarding reliability, performance and durability, and the challenge is to have devices that can meet them all.
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