Advantech releases EPC-C301 for machine vision applications with Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

Advantech, a leading global provider of intelligent IoT systems and embedded platforms, is pleased to announce EPC-C301, a compact fanless box PC powered by 8th Gen. Intel® CoreTM processor. This system features diverse domain-focused I/O and can operate in broad temperature ranges. EPC-C301 integrates Intel® and Canonical technologies, provides Ubuntu and OpenVINO toolkits, and is aimed at accelerating the advancement of AIoT. This powerful system is an excellent choice for machine vision applications, such as automated optical inspection (AOI), and automated plate number recognition (APNR).

Embedded software support

EPC-C301 comes with Ubuntu 18.04 LTS image and iManager software API. "By certifying Advantech’s EPC-C301 for Ubuntu 18.04, Canonical guarantees 10-years of software update support that gives enterprises a stable and secure AIoT platform for their industrial automation and robotics," said Loic Minier, Global Director Devices Field Engineering at Canonical. Likewise, Advantech’s EPC-C301 features WISE-DeviceOn, an IoT device operation and management software, which enables users to integrate, visualize, operate, and manage their industrial IoT devices through cloud services easily.

Intel® OpenVINOTM Toolkit accelerates AIoT

EPC-C301 accelerates the advancement towards AIoT using the Intel® OpenVINOTM toolkit. The OpenVINOTM developer kit is compatible with the VEGA-330 AI acceleration card and the pre-loaded Ubuntu 18.04 LTS yielding a comprehensive set of functions. Sameer Sharma, General Manager of Smart Cities and Transportation at Intel® stated, "With an increase in urban population and road vehicles, there is a significant opportunity to help cities stay ahead of growing demands that put strain on existing road infrastructure. Intel’s collaboration with Advantech, coupled with investment in AI technologies, including the Intel® Distribution of OpenVINOTM toolkit, can help accelerate the transformation towards safer, greener, and more efficient road infrastructures."

Key Features

• 8th Gen. Intel® CoreTM i7-8665UE/i5-8365UE processor
  
• Dual Channel DDR4-2400MT/s up to 32GB with HDMI + DP* Dual 4K Displays
• 4 x GbE, 4 x USB 3.2, 4 x USB 2.0, 3 x RS-232/422/485, 1 x RS-232, 2 x isolated CANBus, and 8 GPIO
• M.2 E-Key 2230, B-Key 3042, M-Key 2280 for SATA & PCIex4 SSD, and mini-PCIe
  
• DC-12V, and -20 ~ 60 °C (-4 ~ 140 °F) operating temperature
  
• Supports iManager software APIs for Windows 10, Linux and WISE-DeviceOn Developer kit (EVK) SKUs default equip VEGA-330, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, Intel OpenVINO Toolkit

Advantech’s EPC-C301 fanless box PC is available from July, 2020. For more information, please visit Advantech website.