21st June 2023 -
The world's first Driverless and Unattended train
SkyTrain opened in 1986 in Vancouver as an elevated urban railway for the city and suburbs. Expo 86, the World Fair, was served by SkyTrain that year, carrying record crowds.
It was the World's first driverless, unattended train. This turned out to have many advantages for a frequent yet economical urban train service.
Chris Morris earlier worked on the design of the three prototype vehicles at the UTDC (Urban Transportation Development Corporation) test track in Kingston, Ontario, later moving to Vancouver to support the maintenance of the revenue system for BC Transit.
19th July 2023 -
Wildlife Tracking Wizardry
Biotrack has over 30 years experience of radio-
Brian's talk will be an overview of the electronic devices used by scientists for
tracking wild animals, and some examples of discoveries made. Technologies range
from simple radio-
Brian Cresswell, who previously spoke to us in 2016, started his career as an ornithologist, doing research on birds for MAFF and RSPB in the early 1980s, but then moved into electronics when he joined Biotrack in 1984. Biotrack moved to Dorset in 1985, at which time Brian was the only employee. The company soon took on two more people, both of whom are still with Biotrack, which now employs around 36 people at its newly renovated premises (the former magistrates' courts) in Wareham.
Throughout his time at Biotrack, Brian retained an interest in biological research,
having published 15 papers and articles on Nightjars and other species (mostly birds).
He is now Managing Director of Biotrack, and has less time for hands-
From its base in Wareham, Biotrack exports about 80% of the 12,000 devices it makes each year to over 130 countries.