Trimble Nomad Handheld Integral To World-Record Water Distance Attempt
World-record-holder for human-powered distance and adventurer Greg Kolodziejzyk is on a quest for another endurance-event record — and the Trimble® Nomad™ outdoor rugged handheld computer will be his virtual first mate. Kolodziejzyk will use a Nomad as a communications tool during his quest to set a new record for the farthest distance traveled on flat water in a human-powered craft. Trimble, a sponsor of the record attempt, will provide a free Nomad in conjunction with the event.
On an optimal-weather day during the week of August 29 – September 2, Kolodziejzyk will set out in a specially designed, state-of-the-art, carbon fiber pedal-powered boat called Critical Power 2 (CP2), aiming to churn his way past the existing record. Carter Johnson paddled a surfski 242 kilometers (150 miles) on Lake Merced in California in 2006 to set the existing record. Kolodziejzyk hopes to prove that legs are slightly more efficient than arms over long distances on water.
During his record quest, Kolodziejzyk will be using the Nomad's GPS capability to precisely track his progress, its wireless communication tools to maintain a live Internet map during the event, and its camera attachment to record and transmit images along the way.
In support of Kolodziejzyk's attempt to break the distance record, Trimble will provide a free Nomad to the person who guesses most closely the exact number of kilometers he can cover in 24 hours.
The Nomad, based on a platform originally designed for surveyors and other in-the-field professionals, offers a combination of ruggedness and performance that translates well to the world of extreme sports and other outdoor recreational pursuits. It withstands water, dust and extreme temperatures, offers a long battery life, and features both built-in and add-on capabilities for a wide array of functional capabilities.
"We designed the Nomad to be a versatile and rugged outdoor tool, but we're constantly amazed at the range of activities the Nomad is used for," said Rob Davis, director of sales and marketing for Tripod Data Systems, a Trimble company. "For Greg's record quest, the Nomad is a perfect resource in its ability to provide multiple functions with its light weight and waterproof construction."
The record attempt will be made aboard the craft CP2, a carbon-fiber trimaran designed by human-powered boat expert Rick Willoughby of Australia and built by Kolodziejzyk. The CP2 is considered to be the most efficient self-powered boat on the planet over long distances. It can maintain a speed of 10 km/hr at an easy to moderate cycling pace, with a top speed of 17 km/hr. Its 24-foot hull is only 9 inches wide, weighs less than 20 pounds and displaces only 4 inches of water. Kolodziejzyk is positioned in a recumbent seat mounted on the deck, enabling a powerful pedaling position.
A 5-km circular course will be surveyed and marked with buoys on a quiet, sheltered lake in southern Alberta. Starting at 9 a.m., Kolodziejzyk will start pedaling the CP2 and make continual loops around the course, only stopping briefly to receive food and water from a support crew stationed on a dock. Kolodziejzyk will pedal until 9 a.m. the next day. Official observers from the International Human-Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA) will be stationed at key points along the circular course to verify that Kolodziejzyk stays outside of the markers and travels the full distance measured.
About the Nomad
The Nomad packs an exceptional amount of functionality into one of the most powerful and full-featured outdoor rugged handheld computers available. The Nomad features Windows Mobile 6, an 806 MHz processor, up to 1 GB of Flash storage, a long-life battery and integrated wireless capabilities such as GPS, 802.11g, and Bluetooth. The Nomad also features a high-resolution, sunlight-visible VGA display that shows graphics and maps in crisp detail.
The Nomad's design and features make it a powerful mobile computing solution for land surveying, engineering and construction, utility, public safety, field service, mapping, military and other outdoor or service-related applications. The Nomad makes it easy to collect, save and transmit data in the field.
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring positioning or location, including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user in the field and to ensure communication between the field and the office. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has a worldwide presence with more than 3,600 employees in more than 18 countries.
SOURCE: Trimble