June/July 2008

A tough, compact on-board computer has been developed by Eurotech specifically for the needs of port terminal operations. One of Britain's largest shipping ports is reported to have been behind the project, and Eurotech says it has had prototype units running successfully on trial for several months. Further examples are to be deployed on its roll-on/roll-off operation, and then elsewhere in the port.

The project involved the fitting of integrated operator terminals to the tractor units or 'tugs' used for loading and unloading lorry trailers carried by ro-ro ships. Drivers have to send and receive detailed information in real time, so a Windows-based system with an interactive graphical interface and wireless communications was considered essential.

Eurotech's solution is based on its SBC-GX533 single-board computer running Windows XP Embedded, which is installed on flash memory to eliminate the need for a hard disk. The system has an AMD Geode GX 533 processor, consumes just 7W of power, and is implemented in a low-profile form factor. It will operate without a fan from minus 20 to plus 60 deg C.

Special features include vibration protection to cope with rough dockside roads; touch-screen data entry to allow for gloved hands; electrical protection to deal with fluctuating electrical voltage; and a variable-brightness screen capable of coping with daylight as well as the low lighting in ferry vehicle holds.