Empowering Field Workers: The Role of AI in Modern Mobility
AI is empowering modern field workers with solutions that automate tasks, improve decision-making, and boost collaboration – transforming how they use rugged technology.
written by: Chris Turner, Head of Go-To-Market, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK EU
AI Shaping the Way We Work
AI is incredibly versatile and is transforming industries and everyday life in ways that were once unimaginable. AI can automate repetitive tasks, enhance cybersecurity, revolutionise healthcare, optimise business operations, enhance creativity and improve human collaboration. Over the years, AI has developed from basic rule-based systems to advanced autonomous models, with analysts predicting $632B+ AI spend by 2028.
Despite all the hype, most organisations see a significant opportunity in harnessing AI. The challenge is adopting and using AI effectively, particularly for organisations with hyper mobile workforces, where employees frequently work across different locations and rely heavily on digital connectivity. This also requires careful attention to data privacy, compliance, and ethical use — especially when sensitive information is processed in the field.
Smarter Support: AI’s Role in Empowering Fieldworkers
Today, field workers are using AI to improve communication, collaboration and data collection. AI tools can efficiently collect and analyse data from multiple CRM and ERP systems, providing tangible advice and data-driven insights to field staff. AI can also analyse a customer's service history, identify common faults, and assess the worker's skill level. This provides recommendations on how to approach specific jobs or connect workers with experts for support.
Furthermore, improved communication and collaboration using AI tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, can be part of a broader Microsoft strategy at a corporate level. This could significantly increase efficiency for mobile field workers. For example, using Copilot’s voice command functionality to quickly compile an automated report by simply dictating to the device could save valuable time.
Exploring AI is not a ‘one and done’ initiative but a continuous, iterative journey with many opportunities, challenges, and learnings along the way. Those ready to take on the challenge will benefit from working with a trusted mobility partner throughout their AI journey.
This is where Panasonic TOUGHBOOK can help. We are empowering modern field workers with AI-driven solutions that automate tasks, improve decision-making, and boost collaboration – transforming how they use rugged technology.
Beyond the Hype: Panasonic’s Integrated AI Capabilities
AI will have a profound impact on how mobile field workers operate. As AI reshapes the digital landscape, workers will need to harness its power in any environment and condition. AI-ready rugged laptops blend advanced computing power with exceptional durability, delivering greater efficiency, collaboration, and innovation.
Panasonic is already integrating advanced AI capabilities into our range of TOUGHBOOK rugged devices. The latest iteration of the TOUGHBOOK 40 and G2 models features AI-enabled Intel® processors with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs). NPUs are specialised processors that accelerate AI workloads efficiently, offloading AI tasks from the CPU and GPU without impacting power consumption or overall performance. This results in faster and more efficient processing.
This has the potential to significantly enhance efficiency and productivity through real-time data analysis at the edge, even without a network connection to the cloud. It will be a game-changer for mobile field workers tasked with doing more with less in the most challenging environments.
Smart Security at the Edge: How Fieldworkers Gain an Advantage
The development of increasingly sophisticated data models as the backbone of AI solutions will significantly increase the amount of data accessible to mobile field workers. Understanding how best to utilise this data and securely access it remotely in the field is where our secure edge devices come in.
Our latest TOUGHBOOK rugged devices give users full control over the data they use, enabling real-time data processing and analysis directly on the device, without relying on connected networks, which could expose valuable IP. For industries with high security needs, such as defence and utilities – and sectors where legacy technology is more prevalent, like manufacturing – this enables users to move beyond using AI solely for fault analysis, information retrieval, and automatic report generation toward detailed analytics and predictive maintenance.
Bridging the Gap: How Cloud-Based Solutions Empower Mobility
Organisations looking to leverage cloud computing and IoT while providing users with secure connectivity for remote operations can also benefit from our rugged field solutions. Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices are optimised for data security, ensuring premium secure WWAN connectivity for AI-connected workers. These devices prioritise WWAN data transfer for efficient and effective job execution.
The latest version of the TOUGHBOOK 40 features GPS and optional 5G connectivity with eSIM support, enabling seamless connectivity for field operations. This ensures that AI-powered applications can function efficiently, even in remote locations where traditional networks may be unreliable.
Integrating these technologies into field devices won’t be without hurdles, and we recognise these challenges and offer specialised consultancy and training in AI, helping businesses navigate successful adoption of advanced AI technologies.
Envisioning the Future: Working with a Trusted Mobility Partner
As we build solutions and products for our customers, we constantly explore new ways to validate and leverage the latest technology in our day-to-day work. Most importantly, we understand that this innovation must happen at the pace customers want and we are here to help customers maximise AI based on your needs, without sacrificing security or performance.
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