IP68-rated Rockchip RK3588 embedded mini PC works underwater

Mekotronics R58X-IP68 is a Rockchip RK3588-powered embedded mini PC with an IP68 ingress protection rating that makes it waterproof and even allows it to run submerged underwater.

We’ve previously covered IP68 or IP67-rated hardware platforms like IoT gateways, thermal cameras, telemetry modules, and more. Those often rely on M12 or M8 connectors for waterproofness, but the Mekotronics R58X-IP68 relies on regular connectors housed in a waterproof socket and cable.
Mekotronics R58X-IP68 specifications:

• SoC – Rockchip RK3588
  • CPU – Octa-core processor with four Cortex-A76 cores @ 2.4 GHz, four Cortex-A55 cores @ 1.8 GHz
  • GPU – Arm Mali-G610 MP4 GPU
  • VPU
    • Video Decoder
      • 8Kp60 H.265 VP9, AVS2
      • 8Kp30 H.264 AVC/MVC
      • 4Kp60 AV1
      • 1080p60 MPEG-2, MPEG-1, VC-1, VP8
    • Video Encoder – Real-time H.265/H.264 video encoding up to 8Kp30, also usable as a multi-channel encoder in parallel (at lower resolution)
  • AI Accelerator – 6 TOPS NPU
• System Memory – 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB LPDDR4x
• Storage
  • 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB eMMC 5.1 flash
  • M.2 M-Key 2280 (PCIe 3.0) socket for NVMe SSD
• Video Output – 1x HDMI 2.1 port up to 8Kp60
• Video Input – 1x HDMI 2.0 up to 4Kp60
• Networking – Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port with optional PoE support
• USB – 3x USB 3.0 Type-A ports (on the photo, but the specs and marking on the case also show a USB Type-C port. It might be configurable)
• Serial – RS232/RS485 connector
• Misc – RTC + CR2032 battery
• Power Supply
  • 12V/2A via 5.5/2.0mm DC jack
  • Optional PoE support
• Dimensions – TBD
• IP Rating – IP68 (depth and duration values not provided by Mekotronics)

Mekotronics provides support for Android 12, Buildroot, Debian 11, and Ubuntu 20.04 (through Armbian) for the waterproof embedded computer .Ports that are not used can be covered to remain waterproof and submergible.

The video below shows the Mekotronics R58X-IP68 operating underwater playing a video with all ports connected to waterproof cables.

The waterproof sockets and cables are provided by a Chinese company called E-Weichat which happens to have a shop on AliExpress. Those waterproof sockets and cables are relatively inexpensive (around $8 to $10) for the HDMI socket and 1-meter cable or the USB socket and 60-cm cable.

Mekotronics told CNX Software the R58X-IP58 is available now with a sample price of $240 US in 4GB/32GB configuration and all waterproof connectors and cables. A few more details can be found on the product page.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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