SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb 25, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Trimble
(Nasdaq: TRMB) announced today that it is providing outdoor rugged computers
for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race -- The Toughest Race on Earth. Iditarod
race officials will use the Trimble Nomad(TM) handhelds and the new Yuma(TM)
rugged tablet computers to help with safety, communications and logistics
challenges over the 1,150 mile race through the heart of the Alaskan
wilderness which is scheduled to begin March 7.
While the Nomad functions as a powerful advanced handheld computer, the
new Yuma puts the power of a fully-functional PC in the hands of people who
work outdoors. The family of products is an ideal fit for the Iditarod, as it
provides a rugged platform for computing on the trail and at checkpoints.
"Our goal every year at the Iditarod is to make the race safer for
participants, as well as more accessible to people around the world that
follow the event," said Stan Hooley, executive director of the Iditarod Trail
Committee. "Using Trimble rugged computers will give us a greatly increased
ability to communicate in the harshest of environments in order for us to
provide the continuum of safety that we are committed to provide for each team
on the Trail. The extreme challenge of musher and dogs against the elements is
timeless. Now, we add highly-sophisticated technology, like truly rugged
computers, GPS and wireless communication, to improve the event's logistics.
It's a great juxtaposition."
"The Iditarod is the ultimate test of toughness, not just for dogs and
mushers, but also for the equipment that makes the race possible," said Shawn
Curtis, marketing manager for Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions Division.
"The Iditarod epitomizes everything Trimble's rugged outdoor computing is
about. The Toughest Race on Earth is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate
Trimble's capabilities, as we facilitate real-time data communication, provide
logistical support, and capture critical data like sled dog health as mushers
progress across the 1,000-plus miles to Nome."
The AT&T-certified Nomad handheld computers will be used to scan barcodes
when sleds enter and leave check in points to capture time and location data.
They will also track the number of dogs to identify when an injured dog must
be left behind. Race officials, veterinarians and logistics personnel will use
the Yuma tablet computer for real-time communication to enhance safety and to
capture location information to keep race participants and officials informed
as the race progress. In addition, Yuma will facilitate uploading data to the
Web to keep race fans updated in real time.
About the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race celebrates the historical values and the
lifestyle of sled dog mushing. The 37th running of "The Last Great Race on
Earth" also celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the National Historic
Iditarod Trail and the 50th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood. The Iditarod
embraces the high technology research that allows products such as the Nomad
and Yuma to create a safety net for the mushers and canine athletes as they
make their way through the Alaska Range on to the Mighty Yukon River and
across the Gold Coast of Norton Sound in order to arrive safely in Nome
Alaska.
About the Nomad
The Trimble Nomad packs an amazing amount of functionality into a powerful
and full-featured rugged handheld computer. The Nomad handheld computer
features Windows Mobile 6, an 806 MHz processor, up to 1 GB of Flash storage,
a long-life battery and integrated wireless capabilities such as GPS, 802.11g
and Bluetooth. The Nomad handheld also features a high-resolution,
sunlight-visible VGA display that shows graphics and maps in crisp detail.
The Nomad rugged computer makes it easy to collect, save and transmit data
in the field because it's available with so many built-in capabilities, plus
you can use the Nomad's CompactFlash (CF) and Secure Digital (SDIO) slots to
add even more devices.
About the Yuma
The versatile Yuma is a fully functional computer that brings full office
capabilities to the field. The Yuma tablet computers mobile package features
Microsoft Windows Vista Business, integrated WiFi connectivity, Global
Positioning System (GPS) and two geotag-enabled cameras. The Yuma is
expandable via two USB 2.0 slots -- a 34 pin Expresscard and SDIO slot. The
seven-inch sunlight-readable WVGA color touch screen is ideal for a host of
mapping and form-based applications
The Yuma tablet is at home in the harshest outdoor conditions as a
hand-carried computer, mounted on a tripod or pole for data collection, or
secured in a vehicle-mount for use as a computer on the road. It is equally
adept in a climate-controlled office.
The Yuma rugged tablet computer is expected to be available in April 2009.
The Nomad and Yuma computer's rugged construction makes them ideal for
forestry, public safety, field service, utilities, military and other outdoor
or service-related applications.
For more information about Trimble outdoor rugged computers, visit
www.trimble.com/rugged, e-mail handhelds@trimble.com or call 541-750-9200.
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses
and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on
applications requiring position or location -- including surveying,
construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and
mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS,
lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to
the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the
solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back
office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.
For more information, visit: www.trimble.com
GTRMB
SOURCE Trimble
http://www.trimble.com
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