Tag: industrial

Shelving: The Ultimate Guide to Organise Your Space Efficiently

In both domestic and commercial settings, shelving offers a simple yet highly effective solution to maximise space, improve organisation and enhance accessibility. Whether you are managing a busy warehouse, organising stock rooms, or creating efficient storage at home, choosing the right shelving system can transform cluttered spaces into functional and neat environments. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about shelving—from types and benefits to choosing the best option for your needs.

Modern workplaces often combine shelving with complementary storage solutions such as Best Lockers for secure item storage and Adjustable Standing Desks to improve comfort and productivity. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about shelving—from types and benefits to choosing the best option for your needs.

What Is Shelving?

Shelving refers to a system of horizontal surfaces supported by brackets, posts, or racks that are used to store, display or organise items. Shelving units can be free-standing or wall-mounted and are widely used across homes, offices, warehouses and retail environments. The right shelving solution not only optimises storage but also increases productivity by keeping items easy to locate and access.

 

Why Shelving Matters

1. Maximises Space

Efficient shelving systems make the most of vertical and horizontal space. Instead of stacking items on the floor, shelves allow you to utilise wall height and structure to free up valuable real estate. This is crucial in environments like warehouses or small businesses where every square foot counts.

2. Improves Organisation

With shelving, everything has a designated place. Labelled shelves make inventory management easier and reduce the time spent searching for items. This is beneficial for both personal spaces and commercial settings like retail stockrooms.

3. Enhances Accessibility

Good shelving ensures items are easily accessible when needed. Adjustable shelves allow you to customize the height based on your storage needs, ensuring awkward or oversized items can be accommodated with ease.

4. Boosts Safety

Proper shelving reduces the risk of accidents caused by cluttered floors or unstable stacks of goods. It keeps items secure and prevents them from falling or getting damaged.

 

Types of Shelving

Choosing the right type of shelving depends on your storage goals, the weight and size of items, and the environment in which they will be used. Below are the most common shelving types available:

1. Boltless Shelving

Boltless shelving is ideal for warehouses and heavy-duty storage. As the name suggests, it doesn’t require bolts for assembly, making installation quick and tool-free. These shelves are extremely sturdy and can handle heavier loads compared to traditional shelving.

2. Plastic Shelving

Plastic shelves are lightweight, resistant to moisture and easy to clean. They are popular in garages, basements, utility rooms and areas prone to humidity. While they may not support heavy industrial items, they’re perfect for light to medium storage.

3. Metal Shelving

Metal shelving is robust and long-lasting. Often used in industrial and commercial spaces, metal shelves can support heavy loads and withstand demanding use. Powder-coated finishes also make them resistant to rust and wear.

4. Wooden Shelving

Wood shelving adds a warm, stylish aesthetic to living spaces and offices. While generally used for lighter loads, wooden shelves offer flexibility in design—perfect for bespoke interiors or decorative storage.

5. Adjustable Shelving

Adjustable shelving lets you customise shelf height according to the size of stored items. This flexibility makes it ideal for ever-changing storage requirements in offices, homes and retail spaces.

 

How to Choose the Right Shelving

Selecting the right shelving involves more than buying the first unit you see. Here are key factors to consider:

1. Purpose & Location

Identify where and how the shelving will be used. Will it go in a warehouse, office, kitchen or garage? The usage environment will determine the best material and design.

2. Weight Capacity

Different shelving units have different load capacities. Always check the shelf’s maximum load limit and choose one that supports your heaviest items with a safety margin.

3. Size and Dimensions

Measure your space accurately before purchasing. Consider both shelf width and height—especially if the shelving will be placed under low ceilings or inside alcoves.

4. Adjustability

If your storage needs are likely to change, choose shelving with adjustable features. This allows you to reconfigure the shelf height without needing new units.

5. Ease of Installation

Boltless shelving and click-together systems are ideal for fast installation without needing tools. If you need a quick setup, factor this into your choice.

6. Durability & Materials

Consider the material based on usage. For heavy industrial loads, metal or boltless shelving is ideal. For decorative or light storage, wood or plastic may be more suitable.

 

Shelving in Different Environments

1. Home Use

In homes, shelving can help manage storage in garages, kitchens, living rooms and closets. Floating wooden shelves in living areas add style while providing functional storage—perfect for books, décor or plants. In utility spaces, sturdy plastic or metal shelving helps organise tools, boxes and seasonal items.

2. Offices and Retail

Offices benefit from shelving units for file storage, stationery and equipment. Retail environments use shelving to display products neatly while making them easy for customers to browse. Adjustable shelving is especially useful in retail due to changing product sizes and seasonal inventory.

3. Warehouses and Industrial Storage

Warehouses require heavy-duty shelving to store pallets, boxes and bulk items. Boltless and metal shelving systems dominate these environments due to their load capacity, durability and ease of assembly. These systems can be configured in aisles to maximise floor space and streamline workflow.

 

Maintaining Your Shelving System

Good shelving doesn’t end with installation. Regular maintenance ensures longevity and safety.

● Cleaning

Dust and clean shelves periodically to prevent buildup that could damage stored items or affect visibility.

● Inspection

Check shelves for signs of wear, sagging or rust. Address issues early to prevent accidents or damage.

● Weight Distribution

Avoid overloading any single shelf. Spread weight evenly to maintain structural integrity.

 

Benefits of Investing in Quality Shelving

Investing in quality shelving pays off in the long run:

  • Enhanced efficiency — Time saved locating items adds up.
  • Improved safety — Stable shelving reduces workplace hazards.
  • Better organisation — Labelled shelves streamline storage processes.
  • Scalable storage — Well-designed shelving adapts as your needs grow.

For businesses, these benefits translate into improved workflow, increased productivity and reduced operating costs.

 

Why Choose Rackzone for Shelving

When it comes to shelving solutions that combine quality, durability and value, Rackzone is a trusted provider. With an extensive range of shelving units designed for every environment—from warehouses to homes—you’ll find options that suit both budget and purpose.

  • Wide selection of shelving types
  • High load capacities and durable construction
  • Flexible sizing options
  • Fast delivery throughout Ireland
  • Expert customer support

Whether you need heavy-duty industrial shelving or neat, compact solutions for smaller spaces, Rackzone has you covered.

 

Conclusion: Optimise Your Storage with the Right Shelving

Shelving is more than just a place to stack items—it’s a strategic investment in organisation, efficiency and space optimisation. The right shelving system can transform chaotic spaces into structured, productive environments, whether at home, in the office, or throughout your business’s operations.

Discover the perfect shelving solution tailored to your needs at Rackzone. Explore our full range of shelving options and organise your space smarter today. 👉 Visit https://www.rackzone.ie/shelving/ to get started!

 

FAQs About Shelving

1: What type of shelving is best for heavy storage?
For heavy storage, opt for metal or boltless shelving as they offer high load capacities and exceptional durability. These types are ideal for warehouses and industrial use.

 

2: Can shelving be adjusted to fit different item heights?
Yes. Adjustable shelving systems allow you to change the height of shelves to accommodate items of varying sizes, offering flexible storage solutions.

 

3: How do I maintain my shelving to ensure longevity?
Regularly clean shelves, check for signs of wear or sagging, and ensure weight is evenly distributed. This helps maintain strength and safety over time.

 

The Quiet Hardware Race Behind Crypto: Why ASIC Miners Are Getting Smarter

If you glance at crypto news, you might think only prices and rules matter. Out of sight, a far less dramatic contest is changing the whole field: the push to build hardware that is more efficient and more reliable.

That hardware is the ASIC miner — a chip built for one task, and nothing else. The idea has been around for years, but the pace of fresh designs keeps rising, pushed by high power prices, thin profit margins, and the need for data-centre-grade gear instead of home-built rigs.

 

ASICs in 2026: Less “Garage Tech,” More “Industrial Compute”

At the start, anyone could mine on a laptop over the weekend — now the job looks like running a small server hall. Current ASICs are heavy-duty boxes that pull large currents, pour out heat, and demand fast network links. Because of that, talk has moved away from “Which coin?” toward “What’s the real total cost of ownership?”

Operators today weigh the same points a classic IT manager would:

  • Energy efficiency (J/TH) — the watts needed for one unit of hash work
  • Thermal management — how to shift heat, guide airflow, hold down noise, and keep rooms cool
  • Uptime and reliability — firmware that stays steady, hash rate that holds, and parts that do not fail often
  • Logistics — import tax, warranty length, delivery dates, and whether spare boards are on the shelf

In short, ASICs now behave less like household electronics and more like dedicated infrastructure assets.

 

Why Efficiency Became the Main Battleground

Power bills remain the largest day-to-day cost. When the gap between “profitable” and “painful” rests on a few percent gain, every improvement counts. New generations of machines therefore aim at:

  • Cleaner power rails, as well as finer voltage steps
  • Tighter chip design and careful binning
  • Hash rates that stay high even when intake air reaches 45 °C
  • Smarter fans and extra thermal probes

Operators also see that efficiency is not only about cost — it decides who survives. As networks grow more crowded and rewards swing, wasteful rigs end up unplugged first.

 

The “Operational Layer” Is Now Part of the Product

A miner is no longer a metal crate you plug into the wall — the room around it decides success. Power rails, monitoring, and upkeep form one system. Many first-time buyers learn this the hard way.

Noise can equal a jet taking off. Heat can push a garage past 50 °C in minutes. Home wiring rarely meets the sustained load. One wrong firmware flag can turn a stable box into a reboot loop.

That’s why buyers now study the whole purchase journey — where the unit comes from, whether it is genuine, how it will be delivered, and who will help months later — not only the big hash rate number on the advert.

Half-way through your search, you will land on supplier pages that line up models and stock. If you want to buy asic miner gear by type and see what is actually on the market, a tidy list saves time before you pick the route that suits your site.

 

What Tech Buyers Should Check Before Purchasing

For a small farm, a hosted hall, or a corner of the house, treat the order like IT hardware, not a spur-of-the-moment buy.

Authenticity and provenance
Fake trackers, second-hand rigs dressed as new, or plain non-delivery happen every day. Stick with vendors that publish clear rules and let you check every step.

Power requirements
Note exact voltage, amperage, and plug shape — many miners need 220–240V lines and their own breaker, not the socket that feeds the kettle.

Cooling plan
Without a way to move hot air out, the unit will slow itself or die. Extractor fans or open racks are often mandatory.

Noise constraints
Many machines roar like a server hall — if neighbours are close, decide whether the room can stand the din.

Support and spare parts
Fans, power supplies, and control boards wear out — the ease of getting replacements counts far more than most people expect.

 

The Sustainability Angle Is Getting Real

Sustainability is no longer a slogan. Operators pipe waste heat into greenhouses, balance loads to spare the grid, or place farms where power is steady and clean.

This matches Europe’s push for energy accountability. In that light, “better hardware” is not only extra hash — it is more work per kilowatt, and a set-up that rising power tariffs will not shut down.

 

Final Thought: ASIC Mining Is Becoming a Tech Discipline

The biggest shift is cultural: mining is now viewed as a technical operations job. Victory rarely goes to whoever grabs the latest rig — it goes to teams that design power, cooling, buying, and risk the way professionals run a data centre.

For people who work with technology, the important point is straightforward. ASICs are just custom-built chips for one job, and the support network around them is growing up quickly. Treat them as basic equipment, not as a quick fix, and you will choose more wisely, stay away from costly errors, and create a system that keeps working for years.

European electronics under geopolitical pressure: why industrial sovereignty matters

The European electronics industry is facing mounting geopolitical pressures that threaten the continent’s technological and industrial sovereignty. Europe’s reliance on external sources for critical electronic components, especially in defense and advanced technologies, has created significant vulnerabilities in supply chains. Industrial sovereignty, the ability to produce essential technologies domestically, has become a vital strategic priority to safeguard European security, economic resilience, and technological leadership.

Europe’s Declining Electronics Manufacturing Base

Europe’s share of global electronics manufacturing has plummeted over recent decades. According to a 2025 IPC report, Europe’s share of global electronics production fell by over 35%, now constituting only 11.6% globally. This decline is particularly alarming in sectors linked to defense, where the electronic content of military equipment has risen from 10% in 2000 to 17% in 2023, expected to reach 25% by 2035-2040. Despite electronics becoming more critical to defense capabilities, Europe produces only a fraction of the advanced components it needs domestically. For example, Europe accounts for just 8% of global defense-related advanced packaging, 6% of printed circuit boards (PCBs), and 4% of integrated circuit (IC) substrates manufacturing.​

Strategic Vulnerabilities in Defense Readiness

The erosion of Europe’s electronics industrial base exposes it to supply chain disruptions, particularly for essential defense technologies like drones, radar systems, and secure communications. Without a resilient European electronics ecosystem, the continent’s defense readiness could be critically compromised amid geopolitical shifts.

Europe’s defense sector urgently needs policies focused on strengthening domestic electronics production to minimize dependency on foreign suppliers and improve industrial resilience. Events like the Evertiq Expo 2025 emphasize the growing recognition that Europe’s security is increasingly tethered to its ability to produce strategic electronics internally.​ Ecrin Systems, a key European player in embedded electronics and rugged industrial computers, exemplifies the importance of sustaining domestic manufacturing capacity to meet the most demanding industry and defense requirements.

Broader Geopolitical and Economic Pressures

Beyond defense, Europe’s entire electronics supply chain faces geopolitical risks heightened by U.S.-China tensions, trade disputes, and fractured global alliances. The semiconductor industry, a cornerstone of modern electronics, is globally concentrated, with around 80% of production located in Taiwan. Europe and the U.S. each hold about 10%, prompting the EU to launch initiatives like the Chips Act, aiming to quadruple domestic production of advanced chips by 2030 to reduce strategic dependencies and boost competitiveness.​

European components distribution data from 2025 reveal fragile recovery signs but also lingering vulnerabilities. The market showed modest growth (+4.09%) yet remained exposed to geopolitical tensions. Some regions such as Turkey and Benelux experienced growth while others, including Eastern Europe and the UK, saw declines. Semiconductor distribution increased by only 0.77%, highlighting ongoing challenges in supply stability and growth. Energy costs, fragmented markets, and industrial restructuring further complicate Europe’s electronics manufacturing landscape.​

Why Industrial Sovereignty Matters

Industrial sovereignty is more than an economic ambition, it is a strategic imperative. Europe’s ability to develop, manufacture, and control key electronic components directly impacts its technological sovereignty, defense capabilities, and economic stability. Dependence on external suppliers risks supply chain disruptions during geopolitical crises, undermining national security and critical infrastructure.

Achieving industrial sovereignty requires coordinated European policies, investment in innovation and manufacturing capacity, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the electronics value chain. The European Union’s strategic frameworks seek to enhance resilience by financing new production facilities, improving scaling opportunities, and aligning defense and industrial policies.​

In a world where technology is a core geopolitical battleground, Europe’s path to industrial sovereignty is challenging but vital. Strengthening domestic electronics manufacturing capacity protects against external disruptions, underpins defense readiness, and ensures Europe retains leadership in the digital and green transitions vital to its future prosperity.

Niryo reveals Nate, A robotic platform making industrial automation more accessible

French industrial company Niryo announces the launch of Nate, its new robotic platform designed to accelerate automation in industry.

With 3,500 robots deployed in over 70 countries, Niryo has established itself as a key player in the field of robotics. Building on this experience, the company is now accelerating the development of accessible, high-performance solutions for industry, with a clear ambition: to make cutting-edge robotics accessible to companies of all sizes.

With Nate, Niryo offers a concrete alternative to the complexity and high cost of current solutions, providing advanced technology that is easy to integrate and accessible to a wider range of businesses. Niryo robots are already being used by leading companies such as Coca-Cola, Siemens and ArianeGroup.

A technology platform built for industry

Nate is a modular platform that brings together all the building blocks needed to quickly design and deploy industrial robotic solutions: robotic arms, application software, AI modules, smart components and integration tools.

This genuine technological ecosystem enables the development of robust solutions that are quick to configure, easy to integrate and scalable, based on real industrial use cases.

One of Nate’s key strengths lies in its accessibility. By combining advanced technologies with the right level of performance, Nate can precisely meet the needs of manufacturers without unnecessary oversizing.

The result ? Optimised costs, rapid implementation and accelerated return on investment.

« We are proud to reveal this new technology platform, the result of several years of work. With Nate, we want to remove the traditional barriers to industrial automation and offer cutting-edge technology that is simple and quick to deploy. Nate is also part of a broader vision: using AI and innovation to support reindustrialization and help build technological independence across our regions. »

— Marc-Henri Frouin, Founder and CEO of Niryo

A first building block revealed at SIDO 2025

SIDO Lyon 2025 will mark the official launch of the Nate platform, with an exclusive preview of its new motorised actuators – the first technological building block to be brought to market.

The first components of the Nate platform, Niryo motorised actuators combine precision, robustness and embedded intelligence and will be available from September 2025. Thanks to their modularity and competitive pricing, these actuators can be used in a wide range of applications : robotic arms, humanoid robots, SCARA robots, industrial automation and R&D engineering.

A vision for European industrial sovereignty

With Nate, Niryo reaffirms its commitment to building a sovereign, competitive and accessible European industrial robotics.

Designed and manufactured in France with the support of the France 2030 investment plan, the platform helps tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing the industrial sector:
– Retaining production capabilities in local regions
– improving the competitiveness of European industries,
– and elevating industrial professions towards greater expertise and autonomy.

The first robotic arm in the Nate product line will be available from March 2026, marking the start of the rollout of this new generation of robotic solutions designed for industry.

 

About Niryo
Founded in 2017 by Marc-Henri Frouin, Niryo is a French manufacturer of robotic solutions based in the North of France. With 3,500 robots deployed in more than 70 countries, Niryo has established itself as a leading player in robotics.

The company designs robotic arms and automation cells combining robotic arms, software and integration to support professionals and manufacturers who want to efficiently automate repetitive tasks with flexible, accessible and easy-to-deploy solutions.

With a team of 50 employees and a fully integrated value chain, Niryo offers modular, usage-oriented robotics that makes automation accessible to businesses of all sizes.

For more information, visit https://niryo.com/nate or follow Niryo on social media.

Industrial decarbonisation experts, Astatine, partners with dairy co-op Arrabawn on €3.5m solar installation

Leading dairy co-operative Arrabawn has partnered with Irish industrial decarbonisation specialists, Astatine to install a new solar power system that will supply the Tipperary-based agri business with some 15% of its annual electricity needs.

Based in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Arrabawn is one of Ireland’s biggest dairy co-operatives, collecting and processing more than 500 million litres of milk per year from its network of shareholder farmers. The decision to install solar PV (photovoltaic panels) is part of Arrabawn’s strategy to decarbonise its operation, focussing on reducing scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.

Following a competitive tender process, Arrabawn selected Astatine as its solar partner. The Dublin-based green energy supplier delivered a full turnkey solution that included project development, planning permission, engineering design as well as construction of the solar installation at Arrabawn’s headquarters in Nenagh.

The project saw Astatine install 9,000 ground-mounted solar panels which have a combined solar installed capacity of 5,800 kilowatts (KW), generating 5,400 megawatt hours per year of clean renewable energy. This will provide Arrabawn with 15% of its annual electricity requirement, offsetting circa. 1,400 tonnes of CO2 per year which is the equivalent of supplying more than 1,200 houses with electricity.

Astatine specialises in helping companies to decarbonise their energy needs through a range of technologies including rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV, thermal batteries as well as industrial heat pumps, and thermal storage that can reduce both carbon emissions and operating costs.

Project fully financed by Astatine

The €3.5 million project was fully financed by Astatine, meaning there was no capital investment on the part of Arrabawn. The renewable energy being generated is supplied to Arrabawn via a long term power purchase agreement (PPA) – at a similar or discounted rate compared to the grid – with Astatine also managing the operation and maintenance of the system for the duration of the PPA.

“We’re delighted to have been selected by Arrabawn to install and maintain a solar PV system that will help to future-proof the company’s energy needs and put the company on a more sustainable footing,” said Tom Marren, CEO of Astatine.

“Agriculture accounts for a significant portion of Ireland’s carbon emissions and the low-hanging fruit are the large, centralised processing plants like the Arrabawn facility here in Nenagh,” Mr. Marren said. “Installing solar PV or heat pump technology into this type of facility is the equivalent of decarbonising hundreds of individual farms and can put a huge dent in the agri sector’s overall emissions.”

“We look forward to supplying Arrabawn and other agri businesses with clean, renewable, low-cost electricity for many years to come and we’re proud to be playing a part in Ireland’s vital decarbonisation journey,” Mr Marren said.

Arrabawn recently announced a proposed merger with Tipperary Co-op to form Arrabawn Tipperary Co-operative Society, pending regulatory approvals which will be owned and controlled by over 4,800 members with more than 1,400 farmers supplying almost 750 million litres of milk annually.

“Like all dairy co-operatives in Ireland and around the world, two of our biggest challenges are reducing costs and reducing carbon emissions,” said Conor Ryan, CEO of Arrabawn.

“Having already installed a heat pump at our Nenagh facility, the addition of solar PV takes us to the next level in terms of ensuring our future supply of clean, renewable, energy,” Mr. Ryan said. “The fact that the project involved no upfront capital investment and was fully financed by Astatine also made it attractive to our shareholders as we look to a more sustainable future.”

Nokia launches world’s first 5G 360° camera for industrial use

Nokia announced today that it is launching the world’s first 5G-enabled 360° camera for industrial usage. The camera is designed for harsh industrial conditions and comes with cyber-secure software and built-in security hardware. The camera is the result of long-term extensive Nokia multimedia research and contains many of Nokia’s ground-breaking innovations.

Waterproof (IP67) and shock-resistant, the camera provides 8K streaming with low-latency high-resolution 360° video coupled with spatial audio over 5G, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet, enabling versatile usage scenarios and minimizing the need for extensive use of traditional cameras at industrial sites and entertainment events. The Nokia 360 Camera (WiFi variant) provides a cost efficient solution with full benefits of 8K 360° multimedia streaming, and the Nokia 5G 360 Camera – Extreme Temperature variant enables product deployment in extreme temperatures.

The ability to transmit video and audio over private and public wireless networks enables real-time remote-control usage, enabling customers to reduce the risk of accidents and increasing reliability and operational efficiency. Coupled with the leading Nokia Real-time eXtended Reality Multimedia (RXRM) software solution, the camera completes a full end-to-end solution for customers seeking real-time remote use cases such as situational awareness, remote monitoring, remote inspection or teleoperation of industrial equipment.

Nokia RXRM provides extensive APIs for customer AI platforms to benefit from 360° video and 3D OZO Audio. Customers can implement analytics, overlays, extended reality and novel innovations on top of immersive live video. RXRM’s ground-breaking 360° video and spatial audio increases the accuracy of what users see through near-instant, ultra-HD content streaming. It provides truly immersive experiences that will redefine the ways in which people work together in industrial context.

RXRM customers in different fields are already using the technology for a variety of use cases, delivering on the vast potential for this immersive technology to make industrial processes safer, faster and more cost efficient.

Finnish company Callio Pyhäjärvi is an early RXRM customer, and they have repurposed Europe’s deepest mine (Pyhäsalmi mine: 1,445 meters) into a multidisciplinary operating environment for R&D, remote operations, training and for spearheading the latest technologies for the mining industry globally.

Sami Ranta, General Manager, RXRM, Nokia, said: “Nokia RXRM allows industrial customers to enhance their business processes, saving costs from product support to field operations. Adding a 5G-enabled industrial camera product to RXRM now offers a complete solution for real-time remote use cases such as situational awareness, remote monitoring, teleoperation and stadium scale sports and entertainment events.”

Sakari Nokela, Chief Development Officer, Callio Pyhäjärvi, said: “The Nokia 5G 360 Camera is a true innovation for demanding industrial use cases. Previously, existing cameras have been unable to meet the challenges posed by the harsh conditions of mining operations in Callio Business Park. With the trusted Nokia product reliability and security, this camera effectively addresses a critical gap in the market.”

NIRA Dynamics hits milestone with 100 million TPI units, pioneering sustainability in the automotive industry

NIRA Dynamics, leader in automotive technology software solutions, proudly announces a significant milestone: the sale of 100 million Tire Pressure Indicator (TPI) units. This achievement not only underscores NIRA’s prominence in the automotive sector but also highlights its commitment to sustainability and cost-efficiency since 2005.

In a remarkable shift from traditional hardware-based systems, NIRA’s TPI technology, a software-centric approach, has revolutionized tire pressure monitoring. By eliminating the need for physical sensors in each tire, NIRA’s TPI has substantially reduced electronic waste and manufacturing costs, fostering a more sustainable automotive ecosystem.

Key Impact

NIRA Dynamics’ TPI technology has redefined the landscape of tire pressure monitoring by significantly reducing the reliance on physical sensors and the associated electronic waste. By introducing this innovative software solution in 100 million vehicles, NIRA has contributed to a staggering reduction of electronic waste, with an estimated 40,000 tons of electronics saved. This monumental achievement not only reflects NIRA’s commitment to technological excellence but also underscores its dedication to promoting sustainability in the automotive industry.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Cost-Efficiency

NIRA Dynamics has not only set a benchmark in technological innovation but has also conscientiously contributed to environmental sustainability. The reduction in electronic waste and the need for fewer raw materials resonate with global efforts to minimize the ecological footprint of the automotive industry.

“Our journey to 100 million TPI units is not just a testament to our technological progress but also to our dedication to a greener, cost-effective future,” said Lisa Åbom, CEO, NIRA Dynamics. “This milestone is a leap towards our vision of an eco-conscious automotive landscape, where innovation drives sustainability.”

A big upside for car manufacturers when selecting a sensor fusion solution like TPI is the fact that costs are kept at a minimum, while all TPMS legislation globally are fulfilled.

Looking Ahead

As NIRA Dynamics celebrates this milestone, the company remains committed to advancing automotive technology solutions that deliver sustainable, cost-efficient value-adding services to cars and drivers globally. Just recently, NIRA launched a big update to TPI – TPI UX, offering enhanced detection performance and improved graphical interface for increased safety and performance.

Also, the latest solution in production is Road Surface Alerts – warns drivers for hazardous road conditions, and Road Surface Conditions – offers enhanced decision-making for ADAS services in varying road conditions.

Nokia launches industrial 5G devices to keep workers safe and connected in industrial environments

Nokia today launched an array of industrial 5G devices to keep enterprise teams and public safety workers safe, connected and informed over private wireless networks in hazardous and industrial environments such as ports, mines, chemical plants and offshore oil platforms. The company is introducing new ruggedized 5G handhelds, a new industrial device consumption model, and enhancements to worker and device related applications.

By adding these new assets to Nokia’s end-to-end platform for industrial digitalization, along with its private wireless and edge applications, the company reinforces its industry leadership with a market leading portfolio and strengthens its commitment to help industrial enterprises navigate their digital transformation journeys, ensuring their operations are more safe, productive and efficient.

The new Nokia Industrial devices are suitable for all types of enterprises and include a ruggedized handheld supporting public safety teams communicating over Band 68. The US-manufactured handheld device has a long lifecycle and is IP 68-rated for operation in remote or harsh environments. Dual-SIM, including flexibility adding eSIM, ensures the most reliable connectivity and simplified management, while an exchangeable battery allows shift workers to share devices in the field. Teams can customize keys to define a dedicated push-to-talk button, while other large buttons and optional accessories, including remote speaker microphones and earpieces enabling push-to-talk, allow workers to communicate clearly and safely without removing safety equipment like helmets and gloves.

Nokia is also expanding the portfolio of ruggedized 5G handhelds with EX-rated phones – all with the same technical platform. The company has partnered with i.safe MOBILE GmbH, world market leader for explosion-proof mobile devices and solutions. Two i.safe MOBILE 5G handhelds are now part of the Nokia end-to-end solution for private wireless infrastructures. They have been rigorously tested and certified* to meet the connectivity demands of sectors such as oil and gas, mining and chemical manufacturers. They can be safely used in hazardous areas (ATEX Zone 1) or further away (ATEX Zone 2) where flammable atmosphere is not likely but could occur for a short time. These handhelds offered by Nokia, support all necessary radio frequency bands, have all required certifications, and can thus be used by companies worldwide.*

Nokia will also offer its managed ruggedized 5G industrial devices deployed over Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) in a subscription-based ‘as-a-Service’ (aaS) model. Application bundles include Nokia Industrial device management, which allows administrators to apply group policies and scale management to their entire device fleet, Nokia Team Comms and Nokia Network Digital Twin. This model allows enterprises to move asset costs from capital to operating expenses and more easily connect workers and manage the fleet of industrial devices in their plants. Moving forward, Nokia will continue to add more types of devices to the managed aaS model.

The updated Nokia Team Comms (NTC) 23 application running on Nokia Mission Critical Industrial Edge (MXIE) now aligns to the 3GPP defined MCS (Mission Critical Services) standard. NTC will address the needs of mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT), providing communication capabilities usually only available in more complex and expensive solutions for workers in harsh environments. NTC allows users to stream video or establish voice calls with a group of users or a single user to gain the greatest context about any situation. The new version will allow administrators to configure changes to their device fleet via a newly built web portal. Deployed on MXIE residing on-premises, Nokia Team Comms ensures data remains within the teams that use it. It works without internet connectivity and scales from small number of users to large groups.

Nokia is also extending the capabilities of Nokia Network Digital Twin (NDT) to all Android devices, allowing coverage and performance data for Wi-Fi, private and public cellular networks to be automatically collected in real time and processed on Nokia MXIE. Enterprises in dynamic environments, such as ports, factories or mines, can see how changes in their operations impact network performance and use this insight to inform future network planning and use case decisions.

Martin Haaf, CEO of i.safe MOBILE comments: “Through this partnership, we are pleased to support Nokia with our decades of expertise in explosion-proof mobile devices with our latest 5G developments. The combination of our devices with Nokia’s solutions offers companies a great added value on their digitalization journey.”

Martin Beltrop, Head of Industrial Devices, Enterprise Campus Edge Solutions, said: “At Nokia we are committed to helping enterprises reliably connect workers in the most intuitive ways to keep them safe and productive. By extending our portfolio with the new 5G handheld devices and making Nokia Team Comms 3GPP-aligned, we can serve the growing needs of enterprise workers in industrial and hazardous environments as well as public safety teams. And, by leveraging the new capabilities of Nokia Network Digital Twin, teams will have more information than ever before allowing them to make instant informed decisions to maintain efficiency and network reliability in their dynamically changing environments.”

Nokia 4.9G/LTE and 5G ruggedized user equipment and integrated applications allow enterprises to connect their workers and industrial machines over private wireless networks and benefit from the greatest performance and lowest latency.

* *Devices have received the following certifications: ATEX (Europe), NEC500 (US), IECEx (global), UKEX (UK) and JNIOSH (Japan)