The upcoming Cat S61 smartphone will include several features to provide assistance on the jobsite.
The Android phone, which will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona, includes enhanced FLIR thermal imaging, laser assisted distance measuring, and an indoor air quality sensor.
Using FLIR’s MSX technology, the Cat S61 thermal imaging camera boasts greater image contrast than its predecessor, the S60, and is able to read a temperature range of -20°C to 400°C.
“We know that 60 per cent of Cat S60 customers use the integrated thermal camera at least once per week and the temperature and resolution improvements found in the new Cat S61 will open up thermal imaging to many more users and use cases,” said Peter Stephens, CEO of Bullitt Group, the global mobile device licensee for Caterpillar. “Packing in even more genuinely useful tools of the trade means there’s simply no other smartphone out there that can do everything the S61 can.”
According to Bullitt Group, thermal imaging will assist with vehicle diagnostics, asphalt monitoring and monitoring of high temperature equipment.
With previous versions of the Cat phone, thermal imaging was used to detect heat loss in buildings, detect overheating appliances or overloaded circuitry, as well as providing visibility through fog or smoke.
“The Cat S60 proved to be an incredible vehicle for introducing more people to the benefits thermal imaging and we look forward to expanding that further with the Cat S61,” said Frank Pennisi, president of the FLIR Industrial Business Unit.
The indoor air quality sensor will inform its user when unhealthy levels of volatile organic compounds are found in the working environment. The sensor is also able to read humidity and temperature.
The laser assisted distance measurement is able to measure point-to-point distances of up to 10 metres, as well as switch between Metric and Imperial measurement. All data is saved within the image so alternative measurement estimates can be taken or adjustments made without returning to the site.
Built with an aluminum reinforced die-cast frame and Gorilla Glass 5, the phone is able to survive repeated drops on concrete from 1.8 metres. Furthermore, the Cat S61is dustproof and water proof up to 3 metres deep for one hour.
The phone is expected to retail for about CDN$1,400.
Cat S61 specs:
- Android Oreo operating system
- 13.5 cm FHD bright display, optimized for outdoor use
- Touch screen control with gloves or with wet fingers
- 16MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, 4K video
- 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM (expandable with MicroSD)
- 2.2GHz Octa-core processor
- Enhanced GPS, BT5.0, NFC, dual band WiFi
- App catalogue curated for rugged device users
