Zebra Technologies has announced several new additions to its line of wearable computers and wearable barcode scanners for 2024. Wearable computers enable higher worker productivity in fast-moving warehouse environments, supporting operations such as picking and putaway. Wearables keep the user’s hands free and reduce time spent picking up and putting down a handheld computer. Time studies document the benefits of hands-free operations in these environments.
The new mobile computer launches include 2 arm-worn computers which work in tandem with ring scanners or wearable scanners, as well as an innovative new wearable scanner, the RS2100, which is the lightest enterprise scanner available today.
New Zebra Wearable Products for 2024
The Zebra WT6400 Wearable Mobile Computer maximizes utility and computing power, with an optional keypad and features to power hands-free picking operations. Android OS. This updates prior products such as the WT6300 wearable computer.
The Zebra RS2100 Wearable Scanner is the world’s smallest and lightest enterprise-grade wearable barcode scanner. The light design creates maximum comfort for users, while maintaining enterprise class wearability and offering a great scan engine.
The Zebra WT5400 Wearable Mobile Computer is a new lower-cost yet purpose-built wearable computer packed with innovations to support hands-free picking. Android OS.
Other prior releases which remain available in the popular Zebra wearable line include the WS50 Android Wearable Computer and the RS6100 Bluetooth Wearable Scanner.
Learn More About the Benefits of Industrial Wearable Computing
Get started with exploring the fit of wearable computers and barcode scanners in your business by speaking with CSSI. Our Zebra experts can assess your workflows and show you how wearable computers can be of benefit to your team. Please contact us to learn more about wearable computers.
Q: What’s the difference between the Zebra WT6400 and the WT5400, and how do I choose? A. Both are Android wrist-mounted computers built for hands-free picking. They share the same main hardware: a 4.7-inch Gorilla Glass touchscreen that works when wet or with gloves, a Qualcomm octa-core processor, 6 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage. Zebra also lists both with Android support through Android 17. The WT6400 is the flagship that replaces the WT6300. It adds more features, such as an optional keypad attachment and push-to-talk voice. The WT5400 is the lower-cost choice for operations that just need solid hands-free picking. Choose the WT6400 if your workflows involve voice, heavy data entry or the most demanding environments. Choose the WT5400 if cost per worker matters most.
Q: Which ring or hand scanner should we pair with a wearable computer? A. Both the WT6400 and WT5400 work with Zebra’s Bluetooth wearable scanners: the RS2100, RS5100 and RS6100. You pair a scanner by tapping it against the computer (NFC). The RS2100 weighs just 1.1 oz and sits on the back of the hand, leaving the palm free. It reads 1D and 2D barcodes, which makes it a good fit for high-volume picking where comfort over a long shift matters. The RS6100 is a more modular scanner for tougher scanning jobs. The WT6400 also supports corded scanners (RS4000 and RS5000) if you don’t want to rely on Bluetooth.
Q: Will these devices hold up in our freezers, on concrete floors and through a full shift? A. The WT computers are tested to survive 6-foot drops onto concrete. They are sealed to IP65, or IP67 with the battery installed, so they resist dust and water. The WT6400 is also rated for 1,000 tumbles. For power, you can choose a standard 3,500 mAh battery or an extended 5,000 mAh battery. The batteries are hot-swappable, so workers can change them without shutting down or losing their session. For cold storage, the WT6400 with the extended battery is rated down to -22°F. Temperature is the main thing to check before you buy. The RS2100 is only rated down to 32°F, so it isn’t suited to freezer work. Ask us which scanner fits your freezer or cold-storage areas.
Q: How do these devices fit into our Wi-Fi network and IT management tools? A. The WT6400 supports Wi-Fi 6E on the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands, which helps in crowded RF environments and gives you room to grow. Because the line runs on Android, IT teams can use the same mobile device management (MDM) platforms and Zebra software tools they already use for Zebra handheld computers. That makes enrollment, security updates and app deployment consistent across all your devices. Long Android OS support also means a longer usable life, which lowers total cost of ownership.
Q: Where does the Zebra WS50 fit in, and is it still available? A. Yes, the WS50 is still part of Zebra’s lineup, along with the RS6100 scanner. The WS50 is a very compact all-in-one Android computer with a built-in scanner. There’s no separate scanner to pair or charge. It can be worn on the wrist, on the back of the hand or on a hip mount. This makes it a good choice where you want the smallest possible device per worker, such as light picking, store replenishment or roles where a full wrist computer would be too much. If your workers need a larger screen for data entry or a separate high-performance scanner, a WT6400 or WT5400 paired with an RS-series scanner is the better fit.
