Be-trader,
I would have Pm'd this so as to not to give the appearance of "pumping" but one application I see for the ATWEC system has nothing to do with kids left on buses, but security of aircraft parked overnight at "gateways" for minor maintenance.
I personally had the experience of being "nabbed" for not paying attention to the aircraft on the next gate.The mechanics, at night, are responsible to ensure no unauthorized access occurs.
I did notice a black car and two "suits" go up the air stairs of a 727, so I jumped down from my lift and followed them on the aircraft and I did "challenge" them.
Unfortunately, I was so covered with fuel grease and oil, I had left MY ID in my tool box and when they curtly showed me their miles of badges and then asked to see MY ID, I knew I had failed.
The ATWEC system, pointing down the aisle of an A/C, could do a better job than mechanics on duty and the industry knows it.
As long as the system was set up to be removed and would not alter the aircraft, it would be ideal as the airlines since 9/11 are hurting financially and the ATWEC system would remove the responsibility from the "union members" while at the same time saving the money it costs to keep an aircraft "live" throughout the night. Even if they don't run the APU for power and burn all that fuel, they still have to go through the trouble of keeping the A/C plugged into ground power or if it is not near another electrical source, such as a ground power cart which is the only alternative and is manpower intensive as well as a waste of fuel. Don't forget the added hours and wear and tear on this expensive equipment. An APU on a 727 goes for about $150,000 and regardless of the condition, when its hour is up, it has to be torn down, inspected, and re-built. Buku bucks.
This is one of many ways that are out there, right now and I would bet my bottom dollar, that Mr. W stays up at night, more often than us, considering the endless different applications. This is one of the reasons I found it so exciting to learn ATWEC was interested in the world of security.
If one thinks about or is familiar with the "airport" environment and I mean the outdoor environment, then they too realize that it is just a matter of time before these systems are put to use in ways we never dreamed.
I am also glad to hear the "legislative" efforts are being redirected as that made me nervous. Those folks come and go and it seems their ideas go with them.
IMO, it is much better to spend time, looking at areas, that need watching at a cost effective price. Interesting that if we don't, insurance pays for the avoidable losses.
I don't consider this a "pump," as I know Mr. W is being cautious and now that he is moving his focus away from the "wet dream city" and legislative efforts, we will see things get going much more quickly. The more time "aides" or "interns" spend quietly and slowly "analyzing" such an idea as using a cheap, available and proven detection device and alert system, the more time they can spend under, or I mean "at" their desks, "networking".
All speculation on my part with some educated "drift," and of course, JMO, but if I had an expensive piece of "heavy equipment" staying overnight, in unlit and remotely and sparsely populated areas, I would adapt or have ATWEC adapt a system to alert ADT or some such company via radio, satellite, cell signal or even hard wire. At the least it would be LOUD!!! If a drunk tries to sleep on the seat, there would be more attention brought down than at Saddam's execution.
Give me a soldering iron and a lot of wire or an LF transmitter and the bus system could be adapted easier than movie stars change their mates!
Unions know the use of such a system can only help the employer save money and that translates into jobs. It will happen anywhere an unattended highly expensive and valuable machine is. Locomotives spend many nights alone at a siding waiting for the nest load or conductor. GPS or an ADT like system coupled to ATWEC's devises will do and I bet there are those who when they read this will go "dang, we need that!"
MTJMO but the cost, relatively cheap production price and the beautifully simple, effective idea will be joined to the technology, needed until now to make the system complete will cause a freeing of man to do other more important tasks like maintain, monitor and service the system. Full service anyone and wasn't something mentioned in the past about such a need but who could envision it involving just cars and SUVS? That is another reason the airport parking lot security business together with the insurance need, makes this a huge outstanding endeavour. Just think, they may not be just making products but building a whole new business classification.
When America needs a job done, it gets done even if the task has to be mechanistically accomplished from scratch and I believe that Mr. Wiley is just such a man to make it happen. Remember the "invisible fence?" They are doing gangbuster business and it all started by an older person falling over a fence.
JMHO
Only down side is for teens eyeing the "liquor" closet! Let your mind run amok and everyone will I bet come up with an application!!!! lol
