Gotive wireless communicators H41 have been employed in the three-year project of the European Commission called RAFT – Remote Accessible Field Trips. The objective of this project is to proove the contribution of the latest technologies into the education process, and to introduce suitable high-end digital and mobile equipment into primary and secondary schools to support the digital literacy of the future generations.

Three Gotive H41 devices have been deployed for this aim during the RAFT Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia from October 5 – 8, 2002. On October 6, 2002, participating university teachers from Canada, Scotland, Germany, Russia and Slovakia, and representatives of Fraunhofer Institute, Germany formed three groups and set off for the remotely operated field trip, running on Gotive communicators. Trip instructions, check-points location, sightseeing information, questions to answer and tasks to fulfill were communicated to them via GPRS connection from the web site of the application provider for the field trip, the company ANASOFT APR. The application was based on Anasoft content management system Corpus, and was used to provide, receive and evaluate the data. Apart from the Gotive communicators, the participants were also equipped with digital cameras, movie cameras and dictaphones, which they used to capture various images and sound, required as additional tasks.

Although each of the three groups had a different route and check-points, and despite the unpleasant rainy weather, all of the teams managed to arrive at the „finish line“ in the city centre. Nevertheless, the winning group with the majority of correct answers was the Group Two, lead by Marcus Specht, Fraunhofer Institite, who is at the same time the Project manager of the whole RAFT project. Description and evaluation of the field trip is available at http://raft2.ana.sk/user/view_page.php.

Eugen Jeckel, ANASOFT APR, says: „We have chosen Gotive H41 on the basis of three main competitive advantages in comparison with other handheld and PDAs. The first was the display of Gotive H41, which is twice as large than on the common handhelds, and it suited perfectly to the project requirements. The second advantage is the environmental sealing, and drop and moisture resistance, that are also crucial for the intended use, what has also been prooved in this field trip. The third advantage is the European origin of the devices.“

The project clearly demonstrated that the sphere of education shows big interest in the latest technologies, and it can appreciate and utilize them. It also shows, that the technological investment into the education contributes to the moulding of a new, co-operative student, willing to explore new things and able to intuitively master and utilise technological equipment. Gaining and knowing how to utilise these skills, necessary for effective grasp of the rapidly emerging mobile technologies, appears to be one of the most important requirement for the general progress of the whole society.

RAFT Field trip
Place: downtown Bratislava, Slovakia, Europe
Date: Sunday, October 6, 2002
Time: presentationa at 10 a.m., field trip form 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Organiser: Anasoft APR Slovakia
Field trip web site: http://raft2.ana.sk/user/view_page.php
More information about Anasoft: www.anasoft.com, www.anasoft.sk

For more information contact:
Anna Rosivalova - Public Relations
Gotive a.s.
+421 (2) 5263 2332
annarosi@gotive.com

corporate web site: www.gotive.com
news archive: http://www.gotive.com/company/press.htm
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About Gotive

Gotive a.s. develops, produces, and sells highly innovative Wireless Enterprise Communicators (WEC's). WEC's are designed for use in any application in which mobile users need to collect, process and communicate information at the point of activity: remote logistics, transportation, field services, utilities, retail on the move, public safety, forestry, military, … in practically any mobile enterprise solution.

Gotive's WEC's are powerful devices that integrate various components needed for mobile enterprise solutions. The desired combination of handheld computer, mobile phone, GPS, bar code scanner, smart card and magnetic card readers, printer, fingerprint identification unit, digital camera, etc. can be built into one mobile device. Added ergonomics and ruggedisation complement the unique features of Gotive's devices.

Gotive supplies its customers with excellent, 'fit for purpose' products by providing state-of-the-art design, product customisation, high-quality manufacturing, and fast logistics. From its operation in Central Europe (Bratislava and Vienna) Gotive provides many advantages for its European and Global customers - including geographic accessibility, price competitiveness, and a comprehensive understanding of the needs of the market.

About Gotive’s H41

Gotive H41 – is a Wireless Enterprise Communicator (WEC) designed by Gotive for professional outdoor enterprise activities. It replaces the need for independent devices by its combined features of mobile phone (GSM/GPRS data/voice/sms), handheld computer with large transflective touchscreen HVGA (640 x 240 pixels), bar code reader (BCR), and global positioning system (GPS), all built into one unit. It features full finger operable QWERTY keyboard and free programable Action Keys to ensure true one hand operation. It is drop and weather resistant (IP54 compliant). Gotive H41 is built upon Windows CE .NET operating system.