Safety first for NEC comms installation

Peter Dinham
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 09:40

IT Industry - Deals

Australia’s National Safety Agency (NSA) has selected an NEC integrated voice and data communications platform which it says will underpin one of the most advanced law enforcement vehicle packages in the world.

Based on NEC’s mobile access controller (MAC), the installation of the system will involve NEC and the NSA working closely with General Motors to build the technology into police cruiser vehicles. The technology will also be available in domestic vehicles.

According to Des Bahr, operations director at the NSA, one of the key advantages of the NEC solution is a “large, purpose designed touch screen monitor which is embedded into the vehicle dashboard,” which he added “provides a consolidated user interface and solves key occupant safety issues by reducing equipment clutter.”
 
Bahr said the in-dash screen is about “improving occupant safety and reducing up-fit cost by eliminating costly manual after-market rework. This way, the cars are fitted with the screen when they are built and arrive at the police agencies ready to be deployed.

“We chose to partner with NEC as the ICT partner behind this project because they offer unmatched local engineering expertise and facilities and a local product development capability.”

“NEC is critical to ensure that we’re able to provide the safest work environment with the most advanced vehicle technology. Together we’re providing a cost effective solution that provides significant outcomes for law enforcement agencies.”

According to Tom Sykes, product manager for NEC network solutions group, “to be involved in a project that will shape law enforcement vehicle technology is a great endorsement for our design and development centre.” Sykes said that “not only will NEC technology provide a greater functionality but it will do so for reduced cost when compared to traditional vehicle up-fit processes.”

Sykes said the US and Canada will next year begin phasing out their existing 82,000 Ford Crown Victoria vehicles, while NEC and the NSA hoped to replace these with a vehicle that provides a “highly integrated technology solution for law enforcement agencies.”

Sykes also said that the solution to be implemented by the NSA would deliver outcomes which would include enhanced officer safety by removing bulky equipment and control panels from the vehicle cabin, and a safer working environment for the officer, as well as reduced fit-out costs resulting from integrating police technology closely with the vehicles.