Rugged computers - The NOW                           Published on 09/28/2005   Daniel Chai Now Contributor Every second counts when fighting fires. From the location of fire hydrants to the best entrance to the site, fire departments everywhere need to have the right information at their fingertips to save those seconds so they can save lives. Thanks to Surrey's Acura Embedded Systems, that information is available, courtesy of its rugged mobile computer system, PowerBrick. That technology was recently on display at the annual Fire Rescue Canada Training and Education Symposium in Richmond. "As you can see, the touch screen is very easy to use," said Cameron Fuller, vice-president of marketing and sales for AES as he booted up the system (the computer really does look like a brick). "There are detailed maps with location of fire hydrants, entrances and the quickest route to the fire. It will even show what kind of hazardous materials the building may have. It's taking emergency response to a whole new level." Business for the niche-market company is definitely booming, but things haven't always been so busy. "Four years ago, the fire departments weren't ready for the product," said Fuller. "Before, a lot of trucks just had rugged laptops. Our system is much more flexible and durable than laptops. It is pretty much state-of-the-art." Because it costs between $6,000 to $8,000 to outfit a truck, it is something a fire department needs to budget for. But now that many fire departments, including the Surrey Fire Department, use the PowerBrick, it is easier to get the word out. "We do a lot of trade shows and travelling. We do some major presentations," said Preet Thind of AES. "Word-of-mouth between departments is main, for sure." AES also develops similar computer hardware for the industrial market, which Fuller described as the biggest market opportunity for the company. "There is a gap in the market from the low-end systems and very high-end items," he said. "We offer a very good product for a reasonable price. This is a market that is snowballing. In the last six months, we have gone international." So far, 250 of Acura Embedded systems are in place at Deltaport in important machinery like cranes and forklifts. The military in India are proud users, and AES is talking with the Port of Seattle to outfit its machines. The company, a member of the B.C. and Alberta Fire Chiefs' Association, is also working with the Surrey Crime Prevention Society on a few ideas, including inexpensive systems to track vehicles. "It's about bringing all of the solution providers together," said Fuller. So what does Fuller see in AES' future? "In five years, without exaggerating, we see ourselves being a $40-50 million company," he said. "We're a private company at this point, but we're looking at other options of generating revenue. We are definitely getting quite diverse." published on 09/28/2005 THE NOW AES would like to welcome both West Vancouver and Surrey BC Fire Departments to the Acura Family of emergency response technology leaders. Both cities have installed six new on board computing systems in 2005 and are on track to upgrade even more vehicles in 2007. Congratulations to both Deputy Chief Geoff Graham of West Vancouver Fire Department and Deputy Chief Ron Price of Surrey for recognizing the new technology trends in the industry and making strong well-researched decisions regarding quality hardware and service related issues. We wish both departments our best and look forward to providing them both with more cutting edge solutions in the future. Both Deputy Chief Price and Graham have been kind enough to offer to share their Acura experience with any other interested fire department. If any departments would like to talk to Ron or Geoff regarding the Acura system please forward your call to either : AES has recently introduced a state of the art security monitoring systems for multi-cell Sheriff Department Transport vehicles.   This unique system features a modular style 2 TB computer that offers incredible memory and incredible audio and video resolution at 120fps, 8 channel continuous recording for 30 days consecutively. The computer can be easily installed in a convenient vehicle out of way location and is capable of handling high vibration and the harshest of environments.  The system offers officers with the luxury of viewing all eight cells at once on the high resolution Acura rugged stand alone Acu-touch monitor. It also allows the officer to zoom in on any one cell by simply touching the screen on that particular cell and then returning to the full screen with another touch of the screen. At the same time all eight channels are still being digitally recorded in the background. I the case of an incident, all information can be retrieved anytime within the 30-day window for liability or evidence purposes.  For further information please contact AES at anytime. Deputy Chief Ron Price, Ph- 604-543-6700 Deputy Chief Geoff Graham, Ph-604-925-7398 Sincerest Thanks, The Staff and Management Acura Embedded Systems Inc. POWERBRICK INSTALLATIONS The photo shows an installation of a PowerBrick computer and a 15" LCD Acutouch touch screen in a command vehicle at Big White Fire Department. Further photos of various installations in fire emergency vehicles can be seen at PICTURE GALLERY. BOLDER 4-CV The newly developed high performance Pentium-4 Bolder 4-CV computer with built-in DVR allows for 4 or 8 channel simultaneous live video recording in military and industrial harsh mobile environments. In comparison with tape-based systems, the Bolder 4-CV offers substantially higher recording capacity as well as better video quality, security and integrity. The computer itself operates with a flash drive, while video recording is done on a removable high capacity hard drive. For a detailed specification, click on PDF. INDIAN MILITARY TESTING The picture shows a number of Bolder-ML computers subjected to testing in a humidity temperature test chamber. The Indian military is a regular client of Acura's and has recently placed several repeat orders for computers. POWER LINE INSPECTION Corona around high-voltage devices is created by defective insulating components or contamination. High-precision Corona imaging is therefore an important element of predictive maintenance of power lines. A system for transmission line inspection from air, consisting of an ultraviolet filtered infrared camera and a high performance computer with very low power consumption, is now being developed by Powertech Labs, a wholly owned subsidiary of BC Hydro, together with Acura Embedded Systems. A system for remote visualization of gas leaks is presently being developed by Power Diagnostics Technology Ltd. (PDT) and Acura. The method utilized is based on infrared absorption and gas-correlation techniques, requiring substantial computing power for image analysis. CONTAINER MANAGEMENT At TSI Deltaport, Acura's rugged computers are installed in dock and yard gantry cranes as well as in yard trucks/tractors and supervisory vehicles, all connected in a wireless network. Prior to the arrival of a ship, the Deltaport terminal receives detailed information about the vessel's container layout, including a description of container type and size, content, customs requirements, recipient, final destination etcetera. The main server then allocates a code number to each container, and a special software program subsequently generates a list of predetermined container storage locations in order to maximize yard utilization. When the ship is ready for unloading, a graphical model of the ship's storage area is displayed on the dock gantry crane operator's computer screen. A light indicates which container to unload next, and its predetermined yard position is subsequently indicated on the computer screens of the yard truck and of the assigned yard gantry crane that finally will position the container. Once a container is available for dispatching (yard storage takes place at three levels), the trucking company in question is alerted. When arriving at the terminal gate, the truck driver is given a handout printed from the server indicating the location of the container and directions how to get there. Simultaneously, the yard crane operator is forewarned about the arrival of the truck and receives graphical information about the location of the container to be loaded. AES is proud to announe the opening of their new US based distribution/sales and service centre in Las Vegas, Nevada. The personnel in Las Vegas look forward to servicing Southern California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico with much faster and more responsive sales and support. All other US based requests should also be directed to our new toll free number 1-866-528-2214 Furthermore, please note that as of January 1st 2008 all distribuition/sales and service branches internationally, have been registered and will be known as Acura Systems International, Inc. (ASI) This is our new sales and distribution company and Acura Embedded Systems (AES) will continue to be known as the Manufacturing Division. Acura Embedded Systems is proud to announce it had a record braking first Quarter, and would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new CAD customers. California State: All Los Angeles area E Fire departments including Downey and Compton Washington State: North Kitsap County Fire Department Whidbey Island Fire and EMS Peirce County Fire Departments including University Place, Riverside Fire and Graham Fire Department Montana: Helena Fire Department Ohio: Homes County Fire Department Canada: Drayton Valley Fire Department Lake Country Fire Department Strathcona Fire and EMS Colywood Fire Department Ladysmith Fire Department Markham Fire Department BC Sheriffs Department Alberta Sheriffs Department

Copyright @ Acura Embedded Inc. Unauthorized use of materials strictly prohibited.