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.

See also: Mannerisms, the blog of David Manners. Updated twice daily, it's the distinctive, entertaining, authoritative and never dull commentary on the semiconductor industry, from someone who knows. Sign up for the Mannerisms eNewsletter.