April/May 2002

Nexus, an interactive on-board computer, tracking and data collection system based on an attractive portable terminal running Windows CE, is on the way from ICS Black Box, one of the longest-established mobile computing specialists.

It marks a new phase of open computing for the company, and is arguably a reflection of a broader trend towards accessible, interactive on-board systems using industry-standard operating platforms.

ICS itself originally focused on closed-loop, self-contained devices that were less easy to integrate with external systems. The company admits that Nexus is partly a response to the emerging telematics systems from the truck manufacturers, and says it hopes to persuade dealers and operators that it represents a more open, independent solution than theirs.

The terminal features a QWERTY keyboard plus a range of dedicated keys, and a full-colour LCD screen. It has 32 megabytes of RAM and another 32 megabytes of flash memory for permanent data storage. The processor is a speedy 400 MHz MIPS unit.

 

It can be mounted on a dashboard bracket and removed for data entry or capture, and can include barcode reader and RFID scanner. It will run Windows CE.net, the latest version of the Microsoft operating system, which is designed for ready integration with Internet-based services.

The terminal itself will communicate with a more traditional "black box" mounted elsewhere on the vehicle, probably by Bluetooth wireless networking, while the fixed system handles transmissions to and from base. This uses the proven OSE operating system (as used in Nokia and Ericsson mobile phones), and will support GPRS data transmission.

The Nexus system itself is expected to cost around £1,600 per vehicle (plus fitting), while MRDS PRO, a suite of office-based software for managing communications and analysing data, will cost between £2,000 and £3,000. The system is expected to be available early next year.