There is growing demand for rugged smartphones and tablet computers that can withstand the dirt and knocks of field work, and manufacturers are responding with products that include high-definition displays, cameras and audio.

The Torque G01, released by Kyocera Corp. for KDDI Corp.'s au mobile phone service in July last year, meets United States Department of Defense military specifications for durability.

Waterproof and protected by a shock absorber, it is perfect for outdoor leisure such as fishing trips or mountain expeditions, according to Kyocera.