e2v supports Aston Martins Driving Home Road Safety Campaign 2007
Demonstrating e2v’s support to the raising of global road safety awareness, e2v are proud to sponsor Aston Martin’s Driving Home Road Safety 2007 campaign.
e2v is supporting two Britons who will drive a factory-prepared Aston Martin V8 Vantage from Tokyo to London on an epic journey along the newly completed Asia-Pacific Highway, bringing world attention to road safety awareness and raising money to help save children from death and injury on the roads.
The V8 is set to become the first car ever to cross the full extent of the new Asia Highway network of roads, arriving early August in Trafalgar Square, London – and in doing so achieving a place in the record books.
Much of the highway, which was first mooted 50 years ago and was completed last year, consists of improved roadways, but there are sections in central Asia which will test both the car and drivers to the full. This 10,000 mile journey will see the car travelling through: Japan, South Korea, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
e2v’s automotive solutions include:
Alarms – microwave sensors
e2v’s microwave alarm sensor is fitted as standard in every Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Microwave alarm sensors provid greater and more reliable security protection than traditional ultrasonic alarms, which can be activated by thunderstorms, gusts of wind or by contact with the exterior of the car.
Intelligent sensing control – Application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)
ASICs interpret data collected by vehicle sensors and automatically activate, for example, windscreen wipers, headlights, seat belt warning.
Cabin air quality
e2v sensors measure surrounding air quality instructing the air inlets to close and move to an air recirculating system when the vehicle is driving through a polluted area.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) – Gunn diodes
ACC automatically controls a vehicle’s speed, maintaining a safe braking distance to the car in front.
Automotive Imaging – CMOS technology
Potential applications for this technology include blind spot assistance, side view mirror replacement and driver alertness monitoring.
Keith Attwood, CEO of e2v commented ‘I am really pleased to have this opportunity to support Aston Martin in their road safety campaign. In a year in which we have expanded our automotive sensor products, opened an office in Hong Kong and celebrate our 60th anniversary, it seems particularly apt that we can support this road safety initiative across Asia and China in particular. We wish Richard and Phil a safe trip and will be following their journey every step of the way.’
About driving home road safety:
The journey is being undertaken in collaboration with the United Nations. It will promote the UN-backed Road Safety Is No Accident and the Make Road Safe campaigns. Both are aimed at increasing awareness of road safety to help reduce the shocking toll of road-related injuries and fatalities, particularly in developing nations. Driving Home Road Safety 2007 aims to raise €100,000 to provide Chinese Children with educational books on road safety.
Presentations will be held at points throughout the journey. A send-off conference was held yesterday at the InterContinental Hotel, Tokyo followed by:
6th July – Beijing, China
6th August – Istanbul, Turkey
10th August – Paris, France
13th August – London, UK
The presentations will provide an insight into how the project is progressing and allow questions to be asked of the drivers. It is hoped that the Beijing presentation will address wider issues of child injury prevention.
The car has received minor modifications to allow it to contend with the expected road conditions. These include a strengthened sump guard, raised suspension and a full size spare wheel.
Richard Meredith said “I have dreamed of making this journey for two years. In Aston Martin I have found a partner with the confidence and enthusiasm to subject their car to a very public trial in the name of road safetyand the effort they have put into this has been simply terrific.”
Dr. Ulrich Bez, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin commented: “As makers of high performance cars we have a special responsibility to promote safe road use. Our cars meet the highest standards of active and passive safety and our driver training courses promote responsible driving. This initiative takes our commitment further by helping to educate children on all aspects of road safety.” Commenting on the challenge, Dr. Bez said: “Richard, Phil and the V8 Vantage face a tough journey ahead but I have every confidence that they will succeed.”
Richard (58) is a father-of-two from Newport Pagnell, Bucks. His co-driver Phil Colley (42) is from Kennington, South London. The pair first met in 2004 when they planned to navigate the full length of the Yangtze river across China but had to abandon the project when the tsunami struck South-east Asia.
Press:
e2v press contact: Mike Tarbard: 01245 453255, michael.tarbard@e2v.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About e2v technologies plc
e2v technologies is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised components and subsystems, falling within two product groups:
Electronic tubes
Sensors and Semiconductors
These products enable some of the world’s leading OEMs to deliver innovative systems for medical and science, aerospace and defence, and commercial and industrial applications.
For the year ended 31 March 2007, e2v achieved sales of £173.9m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (e2v.l). In July 2006 e2v technologies plc acquired a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of specialised electronic components and sub-systems, based in Grenoble, France and in May of 2007 e2v plc acquired MiCS Microchemical Systems SA a designer and manufacturer of semiconductor based gas sensors. These acquisitions strengthen the Group’s position as a major global provider of specialised electronic components and subsystems.
e2v’s products are supplied into three core market areas:
Medical & Science: Sensor technology includes imaging sensors for intra-oral and panoramic dental X-ray, mammography, life science applications and X-ray microscopy. Electronic tubes are the enabling technology behind radiotherapy cancer treatments, microwave medical therapy and high-energy physics.
Aerospace & Defence: Sensor technology includes products for military surveillance, targeting and guidance, space-based imaging and astronomy, radar, electronic warfare, and broadband data converters and microprocessors for aerospace applications. Electronic tubes provide the e
nabling technology behind radars, electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic warfare and satellite communications.
Commercial & Industrial: Sensor technology includes marine radars, industrial safety sensors, automotive radars and alarms, thermal imaging cameras used by fire fighters, CCD and CMOS high resolution line scan cameras for industrial inspection. Electronic tubes provide enabling technology behind TV broadcast, satellite communications, marine radar and food & industrial processing.
The overall purpose of the business is to grow sustainable shareholder value whilst appropriately meeting the expectations of customers, people, partners, suppliers and the wider community. e2v’s vision is to create value through bright ideas in technology and materials science. The Company’s mission is to place customers at the heart of the business, providing enabling products of premium quality that extend technical barriers and enhance the competitive position of our partners.
e2v has approximately 1,800 employees worldwide with three UK based manufacturing sites in Chelmsford, Lincoln and High Wycombe, one in Grenoble, France and one in Corcelles, Switzerland. In addition e2v has sales offices in the UK, USA, Germany, France and Hong Kong, as well as a network of distributors and representatives covering other key territories.
Further information on e2v technologies plc is available from its website, www.e2v.com
About Aston Martin
Aston Martin is a company and a brand that has embraced change without compromising its worldwide reputation for understated style and elegance. An Aston Martin combines power and sporting ability with refinement, luxury and exceptional beauty.
The whole project can be tracked from the 15th June through a dedicated micro-site available at www.astonmartin.com. The site updates the position of the car, provides images and a regular diary will also be available.