LHR, Parity Aviation & @NEC_Display_EU Launch MDU

Maddie Cotterill

NEC Display Solutions Europe, battery specialist Parity Aviation and Heathrow have partnered to create an all-new battery-powered mobile display unit which can display clear and concise messages to airport passengers to enhance information delivery to passengers during operational contingency periods.

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The Mobile Display Unit has an electronically adjustable screen and an operating window of more than 30 hours – covering a full day’s operation if required. Bluetooth connectivity to an Android app allows the system to be unlocked and moved around a large airport terminal, delivering an effective, targeted passenger messaging service where needed.

The MDU incorporates an NEC P553 display with an embedded OPS computer and uses Wi-Fi to receive content. Features such as an interface to the battery level condition and temperature are also available.

Heathrow CIO Neil Clark was quoted as saying “The MDU brings together technology and innovation to deliver real business value and improve the passenger experience. It can make a significant difference to our service during normal and contingency operations and is another step towards delivering state of the art technology across our airport.”

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Heathrow has also developed its own bespoke Content Management System for the MDU, which helps Heathrow’s new Airport Operations Centre to remotely manage the display. Heathrow’s Wi-Fi infrastructure can be used to determine an MDU’s approximate location. Richard Harding, Head of IT Innovation, said “Knowing the operational status and position of the unit is what makes the MDU unique and a real benefit for the business. Once deployed, we can use a web-based application to select an MDU from a terminal map and select the content most pertinent to the passenger environment.”

The Mobile Display Unit, which has a retractable 3.2 metre high screen for passenger visibility, will be available for viewing on Stand 5035 at Passenger Terminal EXPO taking place this week in Paris.


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