Embedded systems are deployed at a wide variety of locations. Factories, food packing plants, warehouses, hospitals, even educational institutes. But there is another type of location that is often ignored – vehicles. 

It is not always obvious, but vehicles are present on more than just roads and perform critical functions in the industry. And just like any other facet of the industry, embedded computers can improve their performance and reliability. 

But how exactly? And which type of embedded PC is most suited to this role? Let’s find out. 

What Can a Vehicle Mount PC Do? 

Before we delve into what makes a good vehicle mount PC, we first need to answer what such a computer even does. Let’s begin by outlining what it doesn’t do. 

A vehicle mount PC is not the same thing as an in-vehicle system, which integrates directly into the driving mechanisms of the vehicle, enabling smart safety features. No, a vehicle mount computer is about providing additional features that help the vehicle do better at its specialized task, and communicate effectively with the technical backend. 

The most common application is managing logistics – commercial fleets service warehouses, harbors, or even the internal supplies of a manufacturing facility. Vehicle mount PCs on these vehicles can help coordinate things better, keeping track of the movement of goods and assigning the different vehicles their tasks and routes to maximize efficiency. 

For more complex vehicles like forklifts, cranes, or agricultural combines, a computer like this can even interface with sensors, cameras, and parallel machinery to let the driver make more informed decisions while operating such equipment. 

What Kind of Features Does a Vehicle Mount PC Need? 

Not any embedded computer can work as a vehicle mount system. The first crucial factor is the size. A full-fledged PC cannot be installed in a vehicle; the limited space in a driver’s cabin means a small form-factor system must be used. 

The second main factor is durability. A vehicle mount computer must be rugged, able to withstand the vibrations and shock of a moving vehicle without suffering damage. And as there is no air conditioning in a vehicle either, the PC must also be able to operate in high temperatures without external cooling. 

Finally, a vehicle mount system needs extensive communication capabilities, both in terms of wireless protocols like WiFi or GPS and physical I/O interfaces like CAN, RJ45, COM, or AHD to connect with other machines and computing frameworks used in an application. This is in addition to general interfaces like USB and HDMI that can be used universally. 

The Solution: Darveen Vehicle Mount Panel PCs 

It can be tricky to find embedded computers that can meet the complete criteria we outlined above, but Darveen has a dedicated line of vehicle mount panel PCs that fulfill the requirements perfectly. The touch panel form-factor means that the computers can easily fit in cramped vehicle cabins, right beside the dashboard for easy access. And unlike normal panel PCs, these come with programmable function keys and even numeric keys for more convenient data input. 

The Darveen vehicle mount systems are all rugged PCs too, designed to operate in the harsh industrial vehicular environments without trouble. Manufactured from a special die-cast aluminum alloy, these panel PCs can withstand shocks, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference without an issue. Each of the Darveen vehicle mount computers also carries a full IP66 rating, with even the IO ports protected by a dedicated cover for complete dust and waterproofing. 

And then there are the features. Everything is carefully calibrated around vehicle mount operations, giving you exactly the capabilities you need for any industrial vehicle application. There are AI-capable panels that can serve in warehouses and agricultural applications where data-based predictive algorithms can be used, or simpler fleet management terminals for logistics solutions, backed by a professional-level GNSS module for accurate tracking through global satellite networks. 

Windows 11 or Android, Intel Core or Rockchip processor, there are many variants in the Darveen lineup, with various sizes and system loadouts to accommodate all vehicle mount use cases. All these panel PCs can be outfitted with legacy IO ports on request, and outfitted with a variety of industrial-grade accessories if required too, making them highly adaptable. So if you are looking for an embedded computing solution for your vehicular applications, reach out to Global American to find out which Darveen system will be ideal for you, along with a prototype to test things out.

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