Android Comes to Zebra’s Enterprise Wrist-Mounted Wearable Computer

The new WT6000 Industrial Wearable Computer is Zebra’s first such device for myriad environments and runs on Android rather than Windows Embedded OS.

The new Android-powered WT6000 can be worn on the wrist and includes a 3.2-inch WVGA (800-by-480) LCD In-Plane-Switching touch-screen display, a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3 cover, a quad-core 1GHz processor, 1GB of memory, 4GB of flash storage and a 3,350mAh lithium ion battery.

The ruggedized WT6000 is drop-resistant, waterproof and dustproof. It is 4.7 inches wide, 3.5 inches high and 0.7 inches thick, and weighs 8.7 ounces. It includes three user-programmable function keys as well as WiFi, Bluetooth and near-field communications (NFC) connectivity. The device has several options for data capture, including a variety of 1D/2D imaging scanners.

The WT6000 also includes Zebra’s Mobility DNA overlay software, which introduces improvements for security, deep ties with needed scanner systems and utilities and tools to toughen Android for enterprises. The Android Lollipop 5.1 operating system on the device includes Zebra Mobility Extensions (Mx) to customize it for enterprise users. Using Zebra Mx, enterprise workers can use hands-free voice commands to pick orders, which can increase efficiency and accuracy, as well as increase worker comfort.

The WT6000 wearable computer and its RS6000 ring scanner and HS3100 rugged headset accessories are designed for use in inventory management and product management, picking and put-away applications in warehouse, manufacturing and retail environments. The devices can also connect with Zebra Bluetooth-enabled printers for increased productivity. Prices for the WT3000 start at $3,000.

The RS6000 ring scanner, which allows users to scan barcodes on packages and pallets from a distance easily, is worn on the back of a user’s hand and features a button that can be operated with a thumb. Its small size reduces worker fatigue compared with larger, handheld devices.

The Zebra RS6000 ring scanner is built to withstand multiple drops from 6 feet and multiple tumbles without damage. It also meets IP65 standards for water, dust and dirt resistance. It features a strong monocoque unibody housing and is designed to survive use in hot or subzero temperatures. The device includes a 3,350mAh lithium ion battery, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity, and is 2.9 inches long, 2.1 inches wide and 1.3 inches thick. It weighs 6.46 ounces.

The HS3100 headset is a cordless Bluetooth device that meets IP67 specifications for water resistance and dust resistance as well as for temperature extremes. It is also available in a corded version, model HS2100. The noise-canceling headsets allow users to give voice commands to the ring scanner or wearable computer and enable the use of speech-driven applications. The corded headset weighs 3.5 ounces, and the cordless version weighs 4 ounces. Both devices use hot-swappable batteries that allow users to swap the batteries without having to reconnect with a host mobile computer.