Challenges

• Tight cockpit space requiring ultra-compact edge hardware
• Need for real-time AI inference using NVIDIA Jetson Orin systems
• Harsh mobile environments demanding wide-temp, shock, and vibration resistance
• Require comprehensive I/O support for real-time data and controls
• Non-standard camera interface integration through semi-custom design

Solutions

• Deployed Premio’s JCO-1000-ORN-A Series with NVIDIA® Jetson™ Orin Nano 4GB for AI inference
• Ultra-compact form factor fits seamlessly inside vehicle cockpits (150 × 105 × 65 mm)
• Rich industrial I/O for seamless connectivity and control in mobile environments
• Designed for in-vehicle environments with wide voltage (9–36V) & ignition control
• Supported semi-custom camera interface, enabling flexible integration without sacrificing certification

Benefits

• Enabled smooth integration with semi-custom hardware support
• Delivered rugged reliability in harsh mobile environments
• Assisted re-certification to ensure compliance and long-term viability

Customer Overview

A growing startup in Australia is leading the way in AI-powered smart city management, offering innovative urban solutions for AI-powered waste monitoring. Their mission is to transform traditional municipal services through intelligent automation and real-time insights. 

Challenges

Deploying AI at the edge, especially inside a vehicle cockpit, introduced a series of challenges:

Tight Space Constraints

The solution had to fit within the limited real estate of a truck cockpit without interfering with existing vehicle controls or instrumentation.

AI Performance Requirements

Real-time image processing and inference were critical, demanding an NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano-powered platform that balanced performance with power efficiency.

Industrial Reliability

The system needed to operate reliably in environments exposed to shock, vibration, and wide temperature swings during daily garbage collection routes.

Custom I/O Requirements

The customer required specific connectivity options and support for a non-standard camera interface, which added to the complexity.

Solution

After evaluating several edge computing options, the startup selected the JCO-1000-ORN-A from Premio’s JCO Series, a rugged, fanless AI edge computer specifically designed for mobile and space-constrained deployments.

Key features of JCO-1000-ORN-A Series included:

Ultra-Compact Form Factor

At just 150 × 105 × 65 mm, the JCO-1000-ORN-A series was compact enough to mount cleanly inside the truck cockpit without requiring design modifications.

NVIDIA® Jetson™ Orin Nano 4GB

Delivers up to 34 TOPS of AI performance at only 25W, enabling fast and efficient inference for bin detection models. Supports the latest NVIDIA JetPack™ 6.2 software stack, ensuring robust AI development, deployment, and long-term compatibility.

Industrial-Grade I/O Connectivity

Delivers the flexibility needed for integrating AI workloads into vehicle operations.

Power Ignition Management

Provides safe startup/shutdown and stable operation for in-vehicle deployments with wide voltage support (9–36V).

Ruggedized Design

Engineered for shock (50G) and vibration (5 Grms) resistance and validated for -20°C to 55°C wide temperature operation.

Semi-Custom I/O Accommodation

Premio’s engineering team collaborated with the customer to integrate a customized camera interface, addressing their unique vision system requirements without compromising compliance or certifications.

Deployment Architecture

Benefits

Delivered Strong Application Engineering & Sales Support

Premio’s application engineering team ensured smooth integration and rapid customization, even accommodating additional hardware requirements for the customer’s camera system. Unlike many vendors that limit flexibility, Premio provided semi-custom project support, enabling tailored hardware without sacrificing reliability or deployment timelines.

Ensured Industrial-Grade Durability

The JCO-1000-ORN-A’s rugged construction and wide power/thermal tolerances ensured reliable operation in harsh mobile environments—critical for fleet-wide deployments.

Secured Future-Proof Certification Readiness

Premio not only customized the system but also assisted the customer through the re-certification process after the I/O modifications. This ensured compliance with industry standards and guaranteed long-term viability for deployments across government and enterprise tenders.

Conclusion

By deploying Premio’s JCO-1000-ORN-A series, the Australian startup successfully transformed waste collection with reliable in-vehicle AI inference, rugged industrial-grade performance, and tailored hardware customization. With engineering support and guidance through re-certification, the solution not only met immediate needs but also ensured long-term scalability for future smart city applications.