The Automobile Association’s (AA) new fleet of patrol bikes, operating in some of the largest towns and cities across the UK, has been fitted with a fully rugged, handheld device from Getac that also boasts phone capabilities. Designed and built by specialists from the Getac Vehicle Development team the device will help to improve response times and field service.
The IP67 rated device has been custom-built for the AA and is mounted on the bike using a bespoke powered docking solution and offers their patrols a built-in GPS receiver, E-compass, altimeter and 3megapixel auto-focus camera neatly integrated to provide an all-in-one solution. Linked with the Bluetooth interface the PS236 will enable the AA to manage their motorbike patrols in the field and ensure they operate as efficiently as possible.
“We never know what situation our patrols will be called out to, in what weather, and over what terrain, so a hardy, reliable communication device that is sealed against dust and moisture is essential for our guys out on the road,” said Chris Bailey, Head of Motoring Technologies for the AA. “The PS236 has been built to withstand vibration, drops and shocks too, and offers our patrols everything they need to communicate with colleagues and locate call outs quickly and efficiently, thereby improving our response time to members.”
The 3.5 inch touch-screen display is readable in sunlight and incorporates both anti-glare and anti-reflective capabilities to assist performance in the field, whilst nine hours of battery life guarantees that patrols can stay in touch throughout their shift. With an 8GB memory storage that can be expanded up to 16GB using an external SDHC card, the PS236 gives users the ultimate combination of speed, processing power and rugged reliability.
“The PS236 is ideal for field-based operators such as the AA bike patrols and this type of rugged handheld device is becoming business-critical in sectors such as roadside recovery,” said Peter Molyneux, Vice President, Getac Europe Ltd. “We work closely with our developers to continuously improve our product offering and are pleased to be able to provide the AA with the ideal solution to their bikers communication and navigation needs.”
The handheld device comes with an RS232 serial port and USB facility and provides both high compatibility and flexible connectivity for a range of industrial applications.
