TC51 and TC56 Series: Revolutionizing Rugged Handheld Computers

Golden A' Design Award Winners Mukai Shen and Mark Fountain Redefine Enterprise Mobility

The inspiration behind this innovative design stemmed from the need for a device that could address the functional needs of diverse markets while being adaptable enough to cater to specific use cases. The designers sought to create a device that could withstand the rigors of daily enterprise use, yet maintain an elegant design suitable for customer interactions.

What sets the TC51 and TC56 series apart is its unique blend of functionality and design. The device features a 5” touch display, an exoskeleton for accessory attachment and additional drop protection, and a trigger handle for scan-intensive use cases. The Active Edge™ feature allows easy access to the camera or 1D/2D barcode scanner, and the touchscreen is designed to work with gloved hands, a stylus, or even in wet conditions.

The device measures 75.5 mm x 18.6 mm x 155 mm, making it compact and portable. Its design tags include rugged, mobile, device, scanner, enterprise, touchscreen, healthcare, retail, and barcode, reflecting its wide range of applications.

The design project, which began in December 2015 and was launched in November 2016, presented several challenges. The most significant was creating a device that could meet the common design requirements of different markets while allowing the flexibility to be tailored to meet conflicting requirements. This challenge was overcome by making the device as elegant as possible and shifting the accessory attachment and extra ruggedness requirements to the exoskeleton.

The TC51 and TC56 series' innovative design and functionality have not gone unnoticed. In 2017, it was awarded the Golden A' Digital and Electronic Device Design Award, a prestigious accolade granted to outstanding creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. These are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.