Pepperl+Fuchs Partners with Samsung to Create Industrial Tablet
Electronic sensors manufacturer, Pepperl+Fuchs, released the world's first Android tablet with a 10-inch display for Zone 2/22 and Division 2 hazardous areas.
Based on Samsung's Galaxy Tab Active2 tablet, the Tab-Ex Pro has been designed for implementing specific IIoT applications.
Due to its powerful specs, the tablet can also be connected to a screen and keyboard and utilized as a desktop computer via the Samsung DeX Desktop Mode application.
From Proximity Switches to IoT Solutions
Pepperl+Fuchs was founded in 1945, and after some years of experimentation, the company was one of the first to release commercial proximity switches. Since then, the company has completed nine acquisitions, developing several electrical explosion protection and sensor technology solutions.
Ecom, which was acquired by Pepperl+Fuchs in 2017, is a company specializing in mobile computing and communication. An expert in mobile industrial equipment in hazardous areas, Ecom's know-how is now the Tab-Ex Pro industrial-grade technology foundation.
Today, Pepperl+Fuchs' headquarters in Twinsburg, Ohio, counts 300 employees and 6,300 across 80 subsidiaries in Germany, USA, Singapore, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Czech Republic.
The Tab-Ex Pro
Designed for applications in hazardous environments, the Tab-Ex Pro is certified in both Zone 2/22 and Division 2 areas. These are environments where an explosive atmosphere consisting of air or flammable substances in the form of gas, vapors, and mists could potentially occur.
The Tab-Ex Pro. Image used courtesy of Pepperl+Fuch.
Created in cooperation with Samsung, the Tab-Ex Pro offers a long product life cycle based on state-of-the-art technology, reliability (TCO), and security. Due to Samsung KNOX contributions, the Tab-Ex Pro is built from the hardware chip to isolate, encrypt, and secure user data. The Samsung DeX Desktop Mode application allows for a (nearly) fully-fledged desktop experience, which is particularly useful when analyzing field-gathered data later.
Specs and Applications
Built for the IIoT, the Tab-Ex Pro is equipped with a Google ARCore for implementing augmented reality applications. It also features a facial recognition function and programmable emergency buttons to improve lone worker protection.
The proximity switch used in application. Image used courtesy of Pepperl+Fuch.
In terms of specifications, the Tab-Ex Pro is powered by a Qualcomm SDM670 Octa-Core 64 bit processor at 2.0 GHz, 1.7 GHz, and comes with 4GB RAM and 16 GB storage space. Its replaceable 7,400-mAh battery allows for pogo pin charging and run times of up to 15 hours, while the tablet's 10-inch screen has good readability, even in direct light, and can operate with an S Pen or when wearing gloves. The Tab-Ex Pro can be connected both via Wi-Fi or mobile networks and is compatible with ATT, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon providers.
The tablet is already available on Pepperl+Fuchs' website in different versions: A Zone 2, Division 2 model, and now a Zone 1/21, Division 1 model for hazardous areas. The DZ1 Mining version of the Tab-Ex 02 series is for Group I, Category M2 mining applications with equipment protection level Mb.
For more information about all of them, you can check out the tablets' datasheet.
