Loading Trucks With The iPhone; There’s An App For That
by Jeff Garbers on 09/02/10 at 5:00 am
Jeff Garbers, CTO of Rover Apps, is a software architect and user interface designer with over 30 years in the technology industry, and an Editor for iPhoneCTO.
Quick — picture someone using an iPhone for business. If you imagined someone in “business casual” reviewing sales figures or updating project status, it’s time to expand your horizons; iPhones are moving into industrial and agricultural applications, too. LoadOut, from LoadOut Technologies, is a new product that may lead you to say “there’s an app for that?”
Loading trucks with bulk commodities can be a dirty job. Farms, quarries, and mines have vast arrays of mechanical equipment that generate dust and loud noises. By giving operators remote access to the video monitoring and loading controls of an industrial bulk handling facility, LoadOut increases safety and reduces their exposure to these elements.
We asked Neil Mylet, founder of LoadOut Technologies, to tell us more about his vision for iPhones in this challenging domain.
The LoadOut work environment is certainly different from that of the typical “knowledge worker.” In that environment, what advantages and disadvantages come from iPhone’s touch-focused interface?
Neil: A touch-focused interface merges complex automation with human intellect in a way that makes it easy for people to attain better control of their environment. With LoadOut, the iPhone serves as a mediator between the process and its user. We’ve built in quite a few elements that force people to respond to the phone in order for industrial processes to keep running. The device does require greater protection from potentially harsh elements. This can be satisfied by purchasing a rugged case from a company such as
OtterBox.
Then why did you choose iPhone as your platform, rather than a device that already has a more “rugged” reputation?
Neil: I chose to unveil this technology on the Apple platform due to their track record of adapting to meet ever shifting market needs. All companies are forced to make adjustments when challenges mount and the going gets tough. It all boils down to way people respond to adversity — whether you’re talking about a farmer or a high tech company such as Apple. Even though the iPhone platform does not have much of a rugged reputation, its performance with LoadOut speaks volumes about the potential that is lying dormant inside of mobile devices.
Other than LoadOut, are you seeing more iPhones being used in industrial environments? What are some of the most common applications?
Neil: We are seeing more people utilize them as a tool inside of industrial environments. I’ve noticed a lot of people using Evernote 
to record serial numbers, keep track of service records, and other management aspects. It’s also common for people to take advantage of the camera feature to document equipment that is in need of repair.
What is the typical cost for a LoadOut-ready installation?
Neil: We’ve developed a standard hardware module that will serve the needs of most industrial applications. This LoadOut-ready unit costs around $2,000 and comes complete with the hardware, mounting bracket, a camera, and other necessary items. To put the price of this system in perspective: many bulk handling facilities cost several thousand to upwards of millions of dollars to build. Loading trucks is just one piece of the overall picture. If a client requires more advanced control or wishes to customize the unit’s camera, that is certainly an option. The LoadOut app is being made available free of charge.
How much training is needed to use LoadOut effectively?
Neil: Harvest season on a grain farm can be a rather intense time of the year with long hours, short tempers, and a lot of work to do. Keeping this in mind, one day on a rainy November day I installed the LoadOut prototype at our farm. Darkness was quickly approaching as one of our truckers pulled in to load that day’s final semi with corn. He’s an intelligent guy, but had never touched an iPhone before in his life. I told him that we were going to load his truck using the mobile device — and he proceeded to gasp! We took about 5-10 minutes to go over procedures, safety features, and general iPhone etiquette. I did not see that particular Apple device again until after harvest was finished!
