Unity: A Rugged Biometric Capture TabletPC

Combining Innovation and Functionality in a Compact Design

Unity stands out from other designs with its unique combination of multiple biometric sensors and a 64-bit PC in a compact and rugged design. It is capable of capturing dual irises, faces, and fingerprints from surfaces or by scanner, and can match them against millions of profiles stored on the device instantly. Despite its small size, Unity packs more power and sensors than any other similar device on the market. It is optimized for size and is perfect for identifying people in remote and disconnected locations, such as medical treatment in rural India. Its users include customs, border, military, emergency, and ID programs.

The realization of Unity involved a clean-sheet design approach, starting with an electronic spec and capture needs. The design team at Crea Inc Design LTD planned the layout, reviewed it for user and design benefits, and created foam models for ergonomics refinement. FEA modeling was done to address thermal issues, and the exterior design was built upon layout favorites. The final design features robust parts and incorporates ideas that evolved during the design process, improving function and ease of use. Working prototypes were used to verify the hardware, and accessories were later designed to enhance the device's capabilities.

Technical specifications of Unity include a dual 1.8 GHz 64-bit chip, 256 GB SSD, 4 GB RAM, GPS, WiFi, and 4G connectivity. It features hot swap and standby batteries, a 5” multi-touch daylight screen, and an IP54 sealed case. Additional accessories such as a sunshade, passport reader, and fingerprint stand can be attached to the device. Unity utilizes a fingerprint sensor, iris and face camera, distance sensor, and multispectral LED for biometric capture. It runs on Windows 10 and Raven DB software, and is made of TPE rubber, PC-ABS plastic, metal, and glass filters. The dimensions of Unity are 18.3 x 10.7 x 7.4 cm, with a weight of 1.13 kg.

Unity serves as a stand-alone biometric capture PC that can register and identify people off the network. It is designed for tasks such as registering individuals, recognizing people, and capturing evidence at crime scenes. During registration, the user brings the camera to the subject's face level, captures face and iris images, and scans fingerprints. Profiles can be logged or matched against saved profiles, and alarms can be triggered for wanted individuals. For law enforcement purposes, Unity records biometrics, body art, crime scene details, and fingerprints from surfaces. It also functions as a normal PC for email, video chat, navigation, and other programs.

The Unity project started in December 2013 in San Carlos, California, Washington D.C., and Bristol, UK. The initial production of the device took place in September 2014, with further design revisions carried out until July 2015. Extensive research was conducted throughout the design process, focusing on user ergonomics, material research for folding shapes, cooling techniques, and sealing methods.

Unity faced several challenges during its development, particularly in fitting a significant amount of technology into a small enclosure without sacrificing quality, performance, or aesthetics. The design team conceptualized different layouts, evaluated them against the project brief, and added engineering details to fill the internal space. The result is a compact device packed with electronics, sensors, lenses, batteries, air passages, and internal structure.

Unity has received recognition for its innovative design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Security, Safety, and Surveillance Products Design category in 2016. This prestigious award is bestowed upon outstanding designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.

Unity is a testament to the power of design and technology in creating solutions that address real-world challenges. With its compact size, rugged design, and advanced biometric capabilities, Unity is poised to revolutionize the way we identify and capture information about individuals in remote and disconnected locations.