Solving Bus Tablet Disconnections at Scale

Bus operators increasingly rely on tablets for mission-critical applications including ticketing, fleet management, communications, and video systems. However, real-world fleet conditions exposed reliability issues with existing tablet mounting and connectivity solutions. Strike partnered with a leading system integrator to diagnose the problem and engineer a future-ready solution that delivers reliable data and power under continuous vibration and heavy-duty daily use.

Bus fleets experienced recurring tablet connectivity failures that disrupted operations and reduced driver confidence. Key issues included:

• Intermittent data dropouts from POGO pin connections
• Wear and tear on tablet contact pads
• Micro-movement inside cases causing unreliable connections
• Inconsistent fixes implemented across different depots

Each failure disrupted workflows, impacted service delivery, and increased maintenance complexity across the fleet.

Strike worked closely with the system integrator to identify root causes through field testing and engineering iterations. The team designed a purpose-built USB-C fixed-install cradle engineered specifically for fleet environments. Key engineering enhancements included:

• Lockable USB-C fixed-install connection for stable high-speed data and power
• Anti-tamper shroud to protect connectors and prevent cable removal
• Updated jaw geometry to minimise lateral movement and maintain consistent contact
• Optional stylus blank to reduce case flex and stabilise the device
• Standardised rollout kits with serialised tracking for fleet-wide configuration control

This approach ensured consistent product specifications, simplified deployment, and reduced vehicle downtime during installation.

Strike delivered a rugged USB-C fixed-install mounting system designed to maintain reliable power and data connectivity under constant vibration and long-duty operating cycles. The solution was engineered to align with OEM requirements and fleet maintenance schedules, enabling scalable deployment across large fleets.

The solution restored confidence in tablet-based systems and enabled uninterrupted service delivery across the fleet.

Strike combines rugged engineering, OEM-aligned design, and real-world fleet expertise to deliver scalable in-vehicle technology solutions. With rapid iteration capability and proven deployment at scale, Strike supports transit operators with reliable, compliant, and future-ready fleet hardware solutions.

Ready to harden your fleet's tablet systems?

Talk to Strike about fleet-grade USB-C fixed-install solutions designed for reliability at scale.