Leveraging Electra Mining Africa’s (EMA’s) reach to showcase the next generation of rugged handhelds and tablets is the key objective for rugged technology solutions provider Rugged Mobile.

With mining operations increasingly embracing digital transformation, the company’s latest product launches will “highlight mobility, durability and connectivity”, Rugged Mobile business development head Arlin Visagie comments.

One of the key innovations that will be on display is Rugged Mobile’s latest real-time kinematics (RTK) devices, which are engineered for use in harsh environments such as mines. These devices support advanced applications such as geographic information systems (GIS), asset verification programmes and digital maintenance workflows.

Rugged Mobile will also showcase various modular accessories and charging solutions that help streamline shift-based operations. Such solutions include multi-bay charging lockers, vehicle mounts and docking stations, all of which are designed with efficiency in mind, and which help to ensure that operations can keep their devices ready for round-the-clock use.

Additionally, the newer generation models boast longer battery life, glove-friendly touchscreens and can support modern mobile device management platforms, underscoring their role in firms’ evolving digitalisation strategies.

“These launches matter because the mining, utilities and industrial sectors face increasing pressure to improve efficiency without compromising on safety and regulatory compliance.”

Visagie avers that Rugged Mobile’s innovations enable organisations to “close the gap between the field and the office”, providing tools that can withstand the toughest conditions while delivering critical data in real time.

EMA – given its appeal to industrial, manufacturing and mining entities – is an ideal platform for Rugged Mobile’s wares, with Visagie pointing out that, “mining represents an average of 30% of our business. We generally serve field service and manufacturing operations, where rugged devices are imperative to providing reliable support to (maintenance) and manufacturing teams”.

He notes that devices for mining differ from other sectors because mining environments require extreme resistance to dust, vibration and variable temperature. Consequently, stronger wear-and-tear resilience, more aggressive shock protection and extended battery life are essential for the remote and far-flung areas that typically host mining operations.

“We believe the mining sector is where we will see steady growth over the coming years, owing to an increased adoption of technology across operations, as well as the digitalisation of outdated data collection methods.”

Meanwhile, for utilities and municipalities, Rugged Mobile will be introducing new Android-powered handhelds.

“Our utility solutions provide hardware and software for the data collection of water and electricity readings, as well as asset management. These solutions play an important role in local and provincial government revenue collection, providing data integrity and ensuring that municipal or utility teams have reliable technology support to achieve their revenue collection efforts.”

Visagie notes that, when setting up these devices, one of the most challenging aspects is accommodating client-specific software requirements; however, it also helps Rugged Mobile showcase its value proposition.

“The difficulty depends largely on the scope and sophistication of the solution required. For many clients, the integration is relatively straightforward—our rugged devices run on Android or Windows operating systems with full Google Mobile Services certification, so most field-service, GIS, asset management and meter reading applications can be installed and run natively with minimal adjustments. In these cases, configuration, testing and user training are the main steps.”

However, for projects involving mining optimisation, real-time telemetry or bespoke workflow management, integration can require months of collaboration. “These solutions may demand custom application programming interfaces, specialised drivers for peripheral sensors, or optimisation to ensure reliable performance in offline/low-connectivity environments.”

He cites Rugged Mobile’s work with mining consultancy Ramjack as an example – where achieving “seamless functionality” required a sustained joint effort between the software vendor, the original-equipment manufacturer and Rugged Mobile.

Additionally, one of factors that sets the company apart is its willingness to offer proof of concepts (POCs), because it gives clients insight into the type of service they will receive.

“We offer POCs and encourage POCs before entering into any agreements, as this allows our clients to be absolutely sure that what we offer meets their needs.”

Importance of Attending EMA

Visagie suggests that, with industries continuing their journey toward digital operations, Rugged Mobile’s presence at EMA26 reflects a broader trend: “technology purpose-built for Africa’s toughest environments, ensuring that progress is not just possible, but sustainable”.

Having attended EMA in 2022 and 2024, Rugged Mobile hopes to capitalise on its previous positive experiences.

Visagie concludes that EMA26 attendees can visit Rugged Mobile’s stand in Hall 9.