EC: GROOV-AR1

Software — Mobile Apps for Controls, Automation, Instrumentation: groov is a zero-programming, Web-based method to create and deploy operator interfaces on smartphones and tablets so authorized automation end-users, system integrators, and machine OEMs can monitor and control almost any automation system from anywhere. This is a Control Engineering 2015 Engineers’ Choice honorable mention.

By Control Engineering October 20, 2014

The new groov Box industrial appliance from Opto 22 is a Web-based, zero-programming method to build and deploy mobile apps to monitor and control your automation systems and equipment with any smartphone or tablet. Because you build the groov interface yourself, you have complete control over what can be seen and controlled, and who is authorized to use it.

The newer, smaller, industrially hardened groov Box hosts all groov software for building and viewing your mobile app. Interfaces are easily built in a web browser without programming or installing software, plug-ins, or runtimes. You drag and drop from a library of gadgets and tag each gadget from your OPC-UA tag server. Everything on the screen—gadgets, buttons, labels, live video—automatically scales to fit the mobile device it is viewed on.

groov securely provides the critical information and control needed by specific engineers, technicians, operators, or supervisors in your company, when and where they need it, on mobile devices of any size or brand. Automation equipment from multiple manufacturers can be managed from a single interface, viewed either in a mobile app or a Web browser.

The new, improved groov Box industrial appliance (GROOV-AR1) has a wide 0 to 70 C operating temperature range, compact footprint, and solid-state fanless design with no moving parts. High-performance quad-core processing, gigabit Ethernet interfaces, and USB expansion for wireless LAN interfaces provide fast operation and connectivity. Measuring just 4.2- x 6.8- x 1.4-in., the groov Box’s compact size and rugged design make it ideal for industrial environments or OEM machines, where it can provide a user interface on an off-the-shelf smartphone or tablet. The groov Box is manufactured and supported in the U.S.A.

Opto 22, www.groov.com