Microbus equips police demo cars

General Motors’ UK special vehicles division has launched all-new police specification versions of Vauxhall cars. The Insignia and Zafira models come pre-equipped with Microbus M-PC2 vehicle-based computers which control automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) software, the roof lightbar with 360 blues, side alley lamps, sirens and full radio equipment through the OptiVue touchscreen installed in the dashboard. Microbus advanced video cameras are also specified for ANPR and driver behaviour image capture.
The Vauxhall Astra features the Microbus LINX tablet PC. This is installed in its docking station in the boot behind the left inner rear quarter load space trim panel, which increases access in the rear of the vehicle. LINX can be undocked and used handheld. LINX also drives a separate 7.5in touchscreen built into the dashboard that complies with internal protrusion legislation and ensures a standard-fit appearance while protecting future residual values.
Each LINX tablet PC drives a suite of applications, including: ANPR, satellite navigation, back-up blue light switching, Police National Computer access, speed enforcement, digital video recording, Tetra interface and force intelligence systems access.
Microbus technology is being showcased in Airwave’s new mobile data car (MDC) demonstrator, developed in association with Volvo, Ford SVP, Microbus and other leading technology suppliers. Both Airwave and Microbus will be taking the vehicle on a series of roadshows throughout the UK to increase awareness of mobile data functionality to blue light communities.
Richard Page, head of strategic marketing at Airwave, said: “The vehicle demonstrator shows how applications can be integrated with vehicle systems and how they work in a real operational environment. Forces know all about mobile data, but perhaps some don’t fully appreciate the extent of the capabilities that exist today.”
At the heart of the system is the Microbus LINX tablet PC which drives the vehicle’s hardware and software applications from its daylight-viewable touchscreen. These include: Tracker stolen vehicle recovery system, Airwave Tetra radio with software control, RSG flip-down matrix LED sign, Genisys Carnation Control for lightbar and sirens, Microbus Sabre 10 camera for enforcement and ANPR and Airwave mobile data applications.
Volvo supplied a Police D5 Estate high-speed pursuit vehicle which was configured by Ford SVP, while Microbus used its expertise to integrate the hi-tech systems.

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