Support Search Careers Email 1.800.378.1636 Request more info

In the News

Crystal Group is proud to be featured in trade publications and the media at large.

AI at the edge: Rightsizing inferencing engines for defense

9/26/24 by Defense One

Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming the defense technology landscape. To fully benefit from these advanced capabilities, the Department of Defense (DoD) and its mission partners need access to high-performance edge computing. Shifting data center operations to the tactical edge requires solutions that are highly ruggedized to withstand harsh settings and equipped with fast, powerful processing and cutting-edge AI capabilities. Optimizing both durability and processing power brings critical reliability to unpredictable environments, where performance expectations are changing.

Flexible Performance at the Tactical Edge

01/06/23 by Intel

Deployed at the tactical edge, Crystal Group’s rugged computers deliver high-volume processing of real-time aviation data and intelligence. Modern avionics and military platforms require field-ready, scalable, and high-performance mission computers to run compute-intensive, safety-critical workloads. However, these platforms need to function in space-constrained environments, in which it is essential to minimize the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of the systems.

Cool to its core

07/28/23 by Micah Snodgrass, Crystal Group system architect

The number of sensors needed for comprehensive AV situational awareness at the edge requires large compute platforms. These power-hungry computing requirements generate enormous amounts of heat that must be managed properly.

Bringing Industrial IoT Devices to Rugged Environments

10/13/23 by insight.tech

IoT has permeated nearly every industry as businesses seek better access and insights into data and operations. But not all IoT devices are well suited for the rugged and sometimes harsh environments they are needed in—both outdoor and indoor.

AUVSI Member Spotlight: Crystal Group

11/13/23 by Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International

Crystal Group is a leading manufacturer of rugged compute hardware that enables autonomous technologies to function with durability and longevity, even while operating in austere environments. Crystal Group’s flexibility when solving its customers’ most unique challenges ensures that every solution is designed to meet all requirements.

Breaking Barriers Issue #2: Boots on the Ground with Staci Kono

11/7/22 by AutoVision News

Staci Kono wears a lot of hats. As a Program Manager for Crystal Group, she’s accountable for the performance of the company’s autonomous and commercial applications. She also serves as the point of contact for cross-functional teams from manufacturing and testing to quality, supply chain, customer service, and sales.

Autonomous Trucking Aims to Solve Driver Shortage

10/27/22 by insight.tech

The American Trucking Association (AMA) reported a shortage of 80,000 drivers last year and expects that number to reach a historic high of 160,000 by 2030. That’s a bad indicator for the digital economy, whose backbone is the ability to transport goods from remote retailers to remote consumers. But how do you solve or make a dent in this growing problem? With latest advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, technology may be the answer.

Solving Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today - Crystal Group Receives Manufacturing 4.0 Grant

5/27/2022 by Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

Offering integrated solutions that are tailored to meet the exact needs of clients, Crystal Group incorporates emerging technologies, cybersecurity, environmental performance and unique requirements for the latest, most reliable systems to achieve today’s objectives for tomorrow’s success. In other words, they create incredibly important technological equipment for all U.S. Military branches as well as automotive and utility industries across the board.

Journey Toward a Smarter Grid: Substation Virtualization Is Here and Now

5/18/2022 by VMware

Join VMware at DISTRIBUTECH, the leading transmission and distribution event, in Dallas from May 23-25, 2022. We will showcase our joint solutions with multiple ecosystem partners including Intel, Dell, Crystal Group, Advantech, and ABB that enable utilities to build modern substations.

Crystal Group Advances Energy Modernization With VMware Validated Solutions

4/11/2022 by iTechnology Series

Crystal Group, Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of rugged computer and electronic hardware, announced today its first VMware-validated configuration of virtualization-enabled servers. As part of the Crystal Group Energy Series™ product line, the CMS-01171 is the first iteration of the ES373S17 substation server. This software-agnostic, hyperconverged system combines real-time automation, remote management, cybersecurity, auto failover, and zero-trust security features for utilities as they pursue significant power grid modernization efforts.

Performance Edge Computing in a Compact Footprint

11/2021 by Intel

o help safeguard both military personnel and civilians, defense systems must power complex multi-domain applications and deliver real-time intelligence as it unfolds. This paradigm calls for highly sophisticated edge compute systems equipped with the performance and bandwidth to rapidly process artificial intelligence (AI), graphics, and other data-intensive applications whether on land, at sea, in the air, or in space.

Webinar: Ruggedizing Commercial Displays and Mobile Computers for the Warfighter

10/20/2021 by Military Embedded Systems, Jim Shaw presenter

Commercial computing technology - smartphones, tablets, laptops, servers, etc. — brings consumers real-time communication, unprecedented processing power, high-resolution graphics, you name it. But, enabling that same tech for use by warfighters on the battlefield at sea or in a cockpit requires unique shock and vibration resistance, complex touchscreen features, night-time display readability, thermal challenges, etc., for situations the everyday consumer will never see. This webcast of industry experts will discuss those challenges, how to solve them, and what the future holds.

Crystal Group Introduces First Military- and IEC-Compliant Video Encoder and IP KVM for Demanding Edge Environments

8/2/2021 by Matrox

In collaboration with Matrox® Video, Crystal Group is the preeminent provider of the world’s only ruggedized multi-4K video encoder and 4K IP KVM extender. Both products use Crystal Group’s proprietary ruggedization techniques to deploy the ultra-high-definition (UHD) video capabilities and quality of Matrox’s Maevex 6100 Series quad 4K encoder and Extio™ N3408 4K/quad-HD IP KVM extender into the most demanding and extreme operating environments.

Ready by 2024? New developments paving way to full-scale autonomy

7/29/2021 by Commercial Carrier Journal

Commercial Carrier Journal discusses the latest innovations in the autonomous trucking industry as well as the future outlook for these vehicles. Crystal Group Systems Engineer and Technical Director, Micah Snodgrass, spoke with Aaron Huff regarding the latest milestones in self-driving technology.

Webinar: Cooling Electronics: Solving Military Thermal-Management Challenges

5/25/2021 by Military Embedded Systems, Chad Hutchinson presenter

The performance and capability of modern vehicle electronics (vetronics); radar; electronic warfare; avionics; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems are enabled by commercial processors and FPGAs – all of which generate lots of heat. These systems must also survive in extreme battlefield conditions, unlike systems in a commercial server farm, where environments are regulated and there is plenty of space to house the systems. To battle the heat generated in less-than-ideal conditions, military cooling strategies range from liquid-cooled and air-cooled to conduction-cooled and air-flow-through designs. This webcast featuring thermal-management experts covers the various cooling methods and the challenges faced while implementing them, especially in ever-smaller form factors.

Moore’s Law – or the law of more?

5/7/2021 by Todd Prouty, Crystal Group in Military Embedded

Business development manager, Todd Prouty, posted an article in Open Systems Media’s Military Embedded Systems highlighting the technological demands of real-time information at the edge in unmanned vehicles.

New Technologies, Avionics and Software

5/6/2021 by Battle Space News

Crystal Group, Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of rugged computer and electronic hardware, announced today the newest addition to its line up of high-performance edge computing solutions for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. The new RS1104 ISR encoder integrates the Haivision Makito X1 into a Crystal Group FORCETM server to deliver real-time streaming of MISB-compliant, full-motion video capabilities.

Crystal Group helping pioneer vehicles of tomorrow today

5/4/2021 by Corridor Business Journal

Last week, VSI’s latest 2,500-plus mile road show – the Automated Trip South from Minneapolis to Austin, Texas and back – brought two specially outfitted Ford Fusion Titanium hybrids to the Corridor, offering a peek at the future of driverless automation.

Autonomous cars visit Eastern Iowa on trek across country

4/29/2021 by KCRG TV9

A couple of autonomous vehicles made their way into Eastern Iowa today on their way from the Twin Cities down to Texas. The cars are used solely for research and development of self-driving technology and safety features.

How cloud computing makes Joint All-Domain Command and Control possible

4/26/2021 by C4ISRNET

As the Pentagon moves to connect sensors with shooters on the battlefield, transporting and sorting data via cloud computing will be a fundamental need. Joint All-Domain Command and Control, essentially a battlefield Internet of Things in which all types of platforms and sensors are linked, will require distributed computing and cloud-based networking to provide war fighters with the data they require on the battlefield.

New Technologies, Avionics and Software

4/23/2021 by BATTLESPACE

Crystal Group, Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of rugged computer and electronic hardware, announced today their new family of next-gen Crystal Group FORCETM (FG2) PCIe Gen4-enabled rugged servers.

Crystal Group announces FORCE (FG2) PCIe Gen4-enabled rugged servers

4/22/2021 by HelpNetSecurity

Crystal Group announced their new family of next-gen Crystal Group FORCE (FG2) PCIe Gen4-enabled rugged servers. Designed for optimal performance in the most unpredictable and remote environments, the FG2 servers deliver ultra-low latency and parallel processing to maximize real-time speed and accuracy of demanding computational workloads, including sensor fusion, unmanned systems, communication, and intelligence.

Crystal Group increases focus on autonomous vehicle development

3/19/2021 by Diesel Progress

Teaching a compact excavator or a long-haul truck – or any type of machine – to perform tasks safely and effectively without human supervision involves a complex network of computers, software, sensors, cameras and more. While engineers at established original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and newer technology companies work to make science fiction a reality, most are making progress the same way the commercial vehicle industry has always advanced -- by partnering with key suppliers. One of those companies, Crystal Group, essentially gives hard-working industrial and off-road equipment a brain.

Crystal Group increases focus on autonomous vehicle development

3/19/2021 by KHL

Teaching a compact excavator or a long-haul truck – or any type of machine – to perform tasks safely and effectively without human supervision involves a complex network of computers, software, sensors, cameras and more. While engineers at established original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and newer technology companies work to make science fiction a reality, most are making progress the same way the commercial vehicle industry has always advanced -- by partnering with key suppliers. One of those companies, Crystal Group, essentially gives hard-working industrial and off-road equipment a brain.

Commission: AI Dominance Requires Bold Action

3/16/2021 by Jim Shaw, Crystal Group in National Defense Magazine

Crystal Group’s Jim Shaw recently provided his thoughts on the National Security Commission on AI’s final report to lawmakers. Learn why AI dominance requires bold action from National Defense’s Yasmin Tadjdeh.

Webinar: Keys to Developing Real-World AI/ML at the Edge

3/10/2021 by Military Embedded Systems, Jim Shaw presenter

AI/machine learning can be a boon to the Edge of the IoT if implemented properly. That sounds easy, but it has the potential to be mystifying. With the compute power that’s now available at the Edge, most calculations can be handled locally. While that doesn’t eliminate Cloud interaction completely, it certainly reduces the dependency. This webinar will drill down on gathering requirements for an AI/ML system at the Edge and look at what’s needed to make this technology a reality.

Why we need to stage a nationwide substation makeover

3/10/2021 by Chad Hutchinson, Crystal Group in Power Grid International

Aging substations across the U.S. are buckling under the pressure of an evolving energy landscape. Here’s how utilities can position for future operations.

Crystal edge AI compute for autonomous trucks

3/9/2021 by IMC Newsdesk

Self driving truck manufacturer TuSimple is working with edge computing firm Crystal Group and robotics developers to improve autonomous self driving AI technology for trucks and heavy construction machinery. As part of this development, Crystal Group has introduced a range of rugged autonomous vehicle compute solutions in edge based systems.

Getting to the 'Core' of AV Thermal Management

2/24/2021 by Jim Shaw, Crystal Group in SAE's Autonomous Vehicle Engineering

Comprehensive AV situational awareness requires a minimum of CPU cores on the order of 112 cores and 48 teraflops of double-precision CUDA cores per platform. Crystal Group introduced the world’s only 12-V DC, ATX-compliant server power supply that delivers 1500 watts and outputs waste heat with a liquid cooling system for power-hungry AV computing.

AI-Powered Cooperation Will Transform U.S. Military Operations

2/6/2021 by Jim Shaw, Crystal Group in Homeland Security Today

Between the kickoff of a new presidential administration, a seasoned (and recent) wartime leader as the new secretary of Defense and a government-wide modernization push, change is under way at the Pentagon. And as 2021 shifts into gear, the U.S. military is operating against a backdrop of not just these changes, but also an evolving threat landscape.

New Technologies, Avionics and Software

12/4/2020 by Battle Space News

Crystal Group, a leading U.S. designer and manufacturer of rugged computing and networking solutions, announced today at TechNet Cyber the launch of new tactical-edge capabilities for advanced computing on the move.

Crystal Group’s Pandemic Plans

11/6/2020 by Hiawatha Economic Development Corporation

Crystal Group has a history of transforming itself to remain relevant, and the pandemic has provided another opportunity for the manufacturer of rugged computer equipment to lean into that strength. Over the past year, their operations have changed along with the requirements of the pandemic to keep their workforce safe by minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

Crystal Group To Present Rugged Solutions, Share Tactical Tech Expertise As NVIDIA GTC 2020 Platinum Sponsor

10/6/2020 by AiThority

As a Preferred Solutions Integration Partner in the NVIDIA Partner Network (NPN), Crystal Group is paving the way for bringing seamless AI and visualization capabilities into harsh and unpredictable environments. By integrating NVIDIA GPUs into its rugged, high-performance compute offerings, both the U.S. Department of Defense and industrial customers now have the ability to analyze petabytes of data at the edge where accurate, real-time information and decision making are vital.

World Oil Special Feature: Defining Our Next Normal

9/2020 by Shawn Thomas, CentraMark Technical Sales Associates, and Toni Hogan, Crystal Group

World Oil Magazine. Pursuing revolutionary transformation will redefine how we work and catapult the oil and gas industry forward.

Reinforced Quality, Consistency & Training for Crystal Group

8/25/2020 by VKSApp

Using VKSapp work instruction software, we reliably captures each customer’s unique program requirements along with current industry regulations to ensure products are designed, built and tested accurately and on time.

Crystal Group’s Rugged Firewall Attains NIAP Cybersecurity Certification

8/24/2020 by COTS Journal Online

Crystal Group announced the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) Common Criteria certification of its rugged firewall. Achieving NIAP approval represents a significant milestone in tactical cybersecurity proving the firewall’s effective layer of protection for networked communications in multiple harsh domains.

Pandemic Sends AV ‘Show on the Road’

7/30/2020 by EE|Times

“The Crystal Rugged computer, designed for ADAS/AV development activities, comes with dual Nvidia GTX2080i accelerators that can handle “the most complex inference models,” noted Magney. “This is the most powerful computer VSI has every worked with.”

Special Feature: Power in numbers: Industry Partnerships are Key to National Security

6/30/2020 by COTS Journal

Pages 16-19. Securing our country and defending national interests are enduring needs. As history shows, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) does not retreat amid challenging or unknown circumstances. On the contrary, they advance forward on critical strategies to maintain and elevate unmatched readiness, safety and security.

Crystal Group announces a partnership with NVIDIA Partner Network

5/20/2020 by Technology Magazine

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important part of numerous industries across the globe. Having understood its exceptional advantages, companies worldwide have been forging partnerships to leverage AI for strengthening their capabilities. One of the AI applications companies that has stood out in this regard is the Crystal Group.

2019 Fastest Growing Companies

4/21/2020 by Corridor Business Journal

The annual Fastest Growing Companies event identifies and honors the region’s most dynamic companies that have made significant contributions to the local economy.

Inside Iowa’s grassroots campaign to produce PPE

4/21/2020 by Corridor Business Journal

An effort that began with an informal group of companies and organizations 3D-printing face shields to protect frontline medical workers has grown into a statewide operation capable of producing as many as 250,000 FDA-compliant shields to assist in the coronavirus pandemic.

Rugged firewall receives NIAP cybersecurity certification

4/20/2020 by Military Embedded Systems

Crystal Group, designer and manufacturer of rugged computer and electronic hardware, announced the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) Common Criteria certification of its rugged firewall. Achieving NIAP approval represents a milestone in tactical cybersecurity, proving the firewall’s effective layer of protection for networked communications in multiple harsh domains.

Hiawatha Businesses Come Together To Make Face Masks

4/10/2020 by Hiawatha Economic Development Corp

To help slow the shortage and increase access for hospital workers, three local Hiawatha businesses have transformed their production processes to help address the state’s dire need for face masks.

AI for Any Environment, All the Time

4/6/2020 by Inside HPC

A guest feature from our partner, Advantech, highlights Crystal Group RIA™ (Rugged Intelligence and Autonomy) to demonstrate the factors that need to be considered and tested before a computer system can be incorporated into a broader functioning system.

The Best Hacker Defense is a Good Offense

3/31/2020 by Jim Shaw, Crystal Group

COTS Journal. This article discusses the expanding attack surface in IoT devices, and highlights solutions and features to protect against cyberattacks.

Sea-ready tech to be displayed by Crystal Group at AFCEA WEST

3/2/2020 by Military Embedded Systems

Crystal Group, U.S. designer and manufacturer of rugged computing and networking solutions, announced the launch of several technologies to be unveiled at AFCEA WEST 2020. The solutions are designed for demanding deployment environments and evolving defense operations facing multi-domain adversaries.

Cutting through the AI, ML hype

2/26/2020 by Security System News.

The article discusses the importance of precisely defining what Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are, how both can be used in the security industry and defines relevant trends and use cases. Jim Shaw is quoted extensively throughout.

Seagate Government Solutions Forms Partnership With Crystal Group

2/13/2020 by GovConWire

Through a partnership with Seagate Government Solutions (SGS), Crystal Group Inc. will introduce the PASS SAS solid-state drives (SSD), which ruggedized and accredits data-encrypted drives for secure data storage at the tactical edge.

Expanding Hardware Security Trust

1/7/2020 by Military Embedded Systems

Military Embedded Systems posted a blog by Joe Brand, chief security officer for Futura Cyber, on the imperative need to detect and prevent changes to system components to maintain system integrity as security threats continue to grow and undermine the trust in systems performing critical operations. As a cybersecurity consultant for Crystal Group, Brand highlights examples of Crystal Group’s approach to designing in security from the start.

Live 5 News

12/17/2019

Live 5 News covered the CDCA Defense Summit and interviewed CDCA President Heather Walker.

Auto Suppliers at a Crossroads

12/10/2019

Industry Week. Crystal Group’s Robert (Bob) Graham, manager of Test and Prototype, was quoted in this Industry Week article, which took an in-depth look into the state of the auto and autonomous industries.

Artificial Intelligence: Science & Engineering for Intelligent Machines

10/23/2019

a live webinar focused on architecture, platforms and software challenges and solutions for AI development. Chad Hutchinson co-presented with reps from ADLINK and Rover Robotics. During his portion of the presentation, he emphasized the need for a strong rugged hardware and exceptional thermal management expertise as the foundation for the effective implementation of AI.

Army to see Hiawatha company’s ‘rugged’ electronics

10/15/2019

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported that Crystal Group will showcase the NAS solution at AUSA (Association of the United States Army) in Washington D.C. Jim Shaw, executive vice president, engineering explains how the company’s advances in FIPS 140-2 data encryption, instant data destruction, real-time data processing and tamper-evident security coating, will help the Army maintain its technological edge.

Government Marketing University names finalists for 2019 GAINER awards

10/15/2019

Business Wire online posted Government Marketing University’s announcement of the finalists for its 2019 GAINER awards, which honors top professionals in government marketing excellence across the U.S. public sector. Among the finalists is Crystal Group’s Leslie Griggs, director of marketing.

The ARC of East Central Iowa “Rise Up” Featured Individual Story

10/03/2019

The ARC of East Central Iowa. Price Strunk-Sosalla is a 28-year-old man who has risen up against many challenges to accomplish some great things in his life! Working together with The ARC of East Central Iowa, Price is a highly valued employee at Crystal Group.

Liquid cooling enters the mainstream

10/1/2019

Jim Shaw, executive vice president, engineering is quoted in the October issue of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine’s article on thermal management. Our RIA (Rugged Intelligence and Autonomy) and cooling system are also featured in the article, as well as the company’s FORCE rugged servers.

The right industrial PC can make railways safer, smarter

10/1/2019

ASMAG’s article (pages 47 & 48) quotes Bob Haag, vice president of sales and marketing about the rugged, high performance edge computing capabilities that railway operators need to monitor and control applications to enhance productivity and safety.

Group effort

9/18/2019

Autonomous Vehicle International. Our Jim Shaw, executive vice president, engineering explains the importance of autonomous developers and OEMs working with experienced engineering partners who can harness the latest technologies while speeding up time to market – safely.