EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company) is holding a demonstration of some of its latest technologies in Newport next week, on July 10th. Among the things on show are:
- A system to improve the well being of airline passengers by enabling them to do light physical exercise over a short period of time. A stepper, gym-bars, a massage pad and fresh-air nozzles allow passengers to relax and enhance blood circulation.
- A system to detect bacteria and single-cell organisms in drinking water, which achieves a complete diagnosis in around 15 minutes vs. 1 to 2 days required by conventional laboratory analysis.
- A system to improve the passenger experience at airports, improving
- the handling of passengers and baggage and providing them with information, guidance and support. RFID technology is used to keep track of passengers' whereabouts.
- A boarding card reader incorporating an "artificial nose": a Laser Ion Mobility Spectrometer (LIMS). This security technology is capable of detecting minute quantities a large variety of hazardous materials, such as explosives, chemicals or drugs.
- An unmanned aerial vehicle called Sharc, which is a coaxial dual-rotor 200kg class helicopter 250cm long, 70cm wide and 120cm high and with a maximum take-off weight of 190kg, which accommodate 60kg of mission equipment in its payload compartments.
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