During the signing ceremony on 18 May 2007, Mr Yao Bo, General Manager of Hentong said that he was delighted to help Smart in manufacturing its product in the new facility.  Dr Ahmed, Smart's Managing Director said that this was an excellent opportunity for Smart.

For further details please contact Mr Michael Xiao, Marketing Director of Smart-Hentong Telephone 013925226580

Dr Ahmed and Mr Yao after signing the JV agreement	The new site for Hentong in Anshan where Smart-Hentong will be based

Despite the major challenges which were encountered by partners the work continued.  As stated by the independent reviewers of the  EU in their final assessment “the project has to a large extent reached its ambitious goals”

They have also stated in their 3^rd year assessment: “.. this is a breakthrough and based on solving many problems. The  technical matters are being well managed and problems are being quickly investigated and solutions found.  The Reviewers  are impressed by the way the consortium addressed and had overcome the technical challenges”

 The project achieved all its objectives.  Again in the words of the assessors: “An exploitation plan has been developed, indicating  conservative and realistic market data, as well as realistic step by step approach in reaching different market areas.”

For further information on the ITACTI project click here.

Read more in IST Cordis web - pages: http://istresults.cordis.lu/index.cfm/section/news/Tpl/article/BrowsingType/Features/ID/81443/highlights/Itacti

The EC funded ItactI (Interactive Tactile Interface) project for the visually impaired and blind finished at the end of January 2005.
Currently testing of the completed full graphical tactile display is ongoing and a final report is expected to be completed in June 2005.

Initially the display will have driver support for Windows OS only. Third party application development is however encouraged by releasing the API protocol into the public domain. The latest copy of the ItactI API Developers Manual can be downloaded here.
 

In June 2004 the consortium applied for and received approval from the EU to continue the project beyond the original completion date to allow further development on the graphical tactile array.
Delays were encountered due to the highly innovative technology and the development of an intermediate single line display. Testing results are expected in the new year.

Smart Technology has greatly increased its interest in Smart materials by acquiring the intellectual property and key personnel of ER Fluid Development Limited. Smart will now be developing novel and innovative products based on patented electro-rheological fluid technology.

A new section has been added to the website with detailed information about electro-rheological fluid. Click on this link to find out more about Smart ER fluid.

1st August marked the beginning of the CEC funded ItactI project. This project aims to develop a novel interactive display for the visually impaired and blind. One of the objectives of the project is to present tactile graphics in a meaningful way that is not currently available. Smart take a leading role in the project as Technical Coordinator.

Smart has successfully concluded the feasibility study of a new type of piezo-electric linear actuator designed for use in specialist Electro Discharge Machining (EDM) applications. The new Piezo EDM servo design was successfully tested, offering improvement in performance, design flexibility and simplicity for lightweight specialist EDM applications. Smart now intends to integrate this new actuator technology into its core technology.

Please look at our Actuators Page for more information about piezo-electric actuator technology.