Industry-Specific Case Study
AGRICULTURE
Hardened, Open-Linux telematics for the most demanding Agricultural landscapes
About Owasys
Based in Bilbao, Spain, Owasys has been a specialist in the design and monufacture of advanced telematic gateways for vehicle and industrial machinery data acquisition since 2002. Our team of expert engineers provides more than just hardware; we offer a true partnership thorugh the end-to-end consultancy for customized software development.
We focus on empowering System Integrators and OEMs to bridge the gap between their vehicles and the cloud, enabling smarter, data-driven operations.
The owa Units
Our platforms are characterized by their open Linux Operative System (supporting Debian and Yocto), offering the total freedom to develop and deploy customized applications using most common programming languages (C, C++, LUA, Python, Containers, etc).
To meet diverse project needs, we provide a versatile range of hardware with different processing and connectivity capabilities. Our units are engineered for any environment, featuring flexible I/O configurations and protection ratings ranging from IP40 to IP67 and IP6K9K.
Furthermore, Owasys gateways are RED directive, E-Mark, FCC, PTCRB, AT&T and Verizone compliant, and certified for major global markets, ensuring a secure and reliable foundation for your data.
Not only Hardware
Besides the platforms, we provide a comprehensive ecosystem designed to simplify the development of telematic solutions. Through our Developers Portal, customers gain immediate access to essential APIs, libraries, and microservices, alongside direct technical support throughout the entire process.
Our gateways are designed to help you integrate advanced features such as:
- Remote Monitoring & Fleet Management
- Predictive Maintenance
- Edge Data Analysis & Machine Learning
- Customized Software Application Deployment
The Agriculture Sector
The agricultural landscape is undergoing a profound digital metamorphosis. As growers embrace digital solutions, the capacity to oversee heavy equipment from a distance has transitioned from an innovative perk to a cornerstone of modern field management.
Commercial farming enterprises commit massive capital to their specialized machinery. Within the narrow, high-pressure windows of the growing season, there is virtually no room for error. A neglected warning sign—be it a subtle shift in hydraulic fluid viscosity or an irregular sensor reading in the planter—can trigger a total mechanical collapse. These failures represent more than just a repair bill; they create “stagnant acreage,” where the inability to move quickly results in missing the optimal weather conditions for the crop.
By leveraging advanced telematics, agricultural firms secure a two-fold benefit:
- Logistical Clarity: Live telemetry regarding engine run-times and field coverage enables surgical scheduling. This data-backed approach ensures that every piece of equipment is deployed at maximum capacity, reducing idle time across the farm.
- Anticipatory Servicing: Farm managers can now detect “early-warning” anomalies. By addressing minor wear-and-tear before it manifests as a total engine seize, they can pivot to shop-based maintenance on their own terms, avoiding the chaos of a mid-harvest breakdown.
The indicated Gateways
owa5X
Processor:
i.MX8 M Plus Quad A53 64 bit
Memory:
2GB LPDDR4; 1GB NAND Flash SLC; 8GB EMMC Flash
GSM Communication:
Global LTE Cat 4
Interfaces:
Up to 4 CAN FD Bus; Wifi & BT 5.0; etc…
Rugged Enclosure:
owa4X
Processor:
ARM Cortex A8 32 bit 800MHz
Memory:
512MB DDR3; 1GB NAND Flash
GSM Communication:
Global LTE Cat 4
Interfaces:
Up to 4 CAN Bus; Wifi&BT 4.2; Audio Codec; etc…
Rugged Enclosure:
IP67 (protection against dust / water)
Engineered with industrial-grade resilience (boasting IP67 and IP6K9K ratings), superior processing power, and versatile connectivity, the owa5X and owa4X are perfectly calibrated for the grueling environments of modern agriculture. Whether facing the thick dust of a harvest or high-pressure steam cleaning in the yard, the owa5X—with its 64-bit Quad-core processor—and the owa4X provide the rugged reliability required for mission-critical farm telemetry.
Choosing between the high-performance i.MX8 architecture of the owa5X or the proven Cortex A8 efficiency of the owa4X depends on your specific data demands and fleet scale. Please reach out to discuss your project requirements; we look forward to collaborating with you to deploy the most resilient and effective digital infrastructure for your agricultural machinery.
Case Studies
Fleet Management
One of our key customers created a suite that utilizes the owa5X and owa4X as high-performance Connectivity Units (RCU) to bridge the gap between heavy agricultural machinery and the digital cloud. This open, Linux-based platform allows for real-time monitoring of vital health and performance data—from fuel consumption to hydraulic pressure—ensuring tractors and harvesters remain at peak efficiency during critical seasonal windows.
By leveraging the processing power of the owa5X and the versatility of the owa4X, agricultural enterprises can deploy advanced Edge Computing and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. This enables immediate diagnostics and seamless software management without leaving the field, providing a ruggedized, future-proof infrastructure that thrives in the most demanding rural environments.
Precission Farming
Another high-impact use case for the owa5X involves its role as the primary connectivity engine for a leading global precision agriculture platform. In this scenario, the gateway is integrated across a diverse fleet of tractors, combines, and sprayers to facilitate a “Farmer-First” digital strategy. By leveraging the owa5X’s 64-bit quad-core processing power, the platform can aggregate and process high-resolution agronomic data directly on the machine, enabling everything from sub-meter guidance to real-time seed placement analysis across mixed-brand fleets.
The rugged IP6K9K design is particularly critical here, as it allows the unit to be factory-fitted or retrofitted onto machinery that faces extreme field conditions and frequent high-pressure washdowns. Utilizing the gateway’s Global LTE Cat 4 and multi-CAN FD interfaces, the platform provides seamless, brand-agnostic telematics that link the cab to the office. This ensures that growers can manage their entire operation—from fuel efficiency and engine health to complex prescription mapping—through a single, unified cloud interface, maximizing both productivity and sustainability throughout the crop cycle.
Integration of Control Systems
This use case highlights a more specialized application of the owa4X (integrated as a core telematics module), focusing on its role as a “Soft Telematics Controller” and HMI host.
While previous examples focused on the high-speed data crunching of the 64-bit owa5X, this implementation uses the ARM Cortex A8-based owa4X as a bridge for advanced machine-to-user interaction. Its identifying feature here is the ability to host expanded HMI functionality, allowing the gateway to push real-time machine data to mobile devices via Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
This allows an operator to step out of the cab and still monitor complex process control or troubleshooting diagnostics on a tablet, essentially moving the “dashboard” to wherever it is needed most.
Beyond communication, this specific use of the owa4X leverages its built-in 9-axis sensor (accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer) and an optional Li-ion backup battery. These are critical for agricultural safety and security, as they enable the unit to detect and report collisions or roll-overs even if the vehicle’s main power system fails. By combining IP67 ruggedness with Global LTE Cat 4 and a modular Linux platform, this configuration turns the gateway into a multifunctional tool that handles everything from Over-the-Air (OTA) software distribution to precise 72-channel GNSS positioning, ensuring the machine remains a connected, intelligent asset in any rural environment.
The Owasys Team
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