Axion (then Pocatec)
R&D Project

Improve existing communication systems, both in terms of performance and user costs

At the time, most systems were designed using curtain or flip-dot technology. Our researchers looked at two new techniques: liquid crystal display (LCD) and light emitting diodes (LED).

They narrowed down their choices to LCD technology for its low energy consumption, superior field of vision, and greater visibility in all ambient lighting conditions. These first applications of LCD in a public transit context proved the technology's remarkable qualities.

Economically speaking, Axion (then Pocatec) showed manufacturers they could cut costs considerably by integrating audio and visual communication systems, two traditionally distinct systems, although they essentially transmit the same information in two different ways. They demonstrated that substantial savings could be made by combining all system function controls in the same central processor.