Low cost eye tracking for human-machine interfacing

One of the main challenges for developers of new human-computer interfaces is to provide a more natural way of interacting with computer systems, avoiding excessive use of hand and finger movements. In this way, also a valuable alternative communication pathway is provided to people suffering from motor disabilities. This paper describes the construction of a low cost eye tracker using a fixed head setup. Therefore a webcam, laptop and an infrared lighting source were used together with a simple frame to fix the head of the user. Furthermore, detailed information on the various image processing techniques used for filtering the centre of the pupil and different methods to calculate the point of gaze are discussed. An overall accuracy of 1.5 degrees was obtained while keeping the hardware cost of the device below 100 euros.

Cost Cutting for Success: Factors Influencing Costs

Irrespective of whether an airline has high or low operating costs, a thorough knowledge and breakdown of them is vital in order for management to: • monitor performance (to check if targets / budgets are being met. If not, remedial action can be taken) • set appropriate fares and tariffs • evaluate new routes, aircraft acquisition and outsourcing opportunities

The challenge of the low-cost airlines

Outline • How Low cost airlines have changed the EU? • Maturity in Europe? • Market Substitution or generation? • Are LCCs culpable for increasing aviation's carbon footprint? • What makes a successful low cost airline? • LCCs and the long haul market

Cost comparison of network, low-cost and charter airlines

Estimates of the Cost difference “The evidence suggests that low-cost no-frills operations can achieve unit costs as low as half those of a major network carrier” CAP 685 Single European Aviation Market: The First Five Years (June 1998)

Aplicação de Data Mining à Segurança do Trabalho Ferroviário

Embora o objectivo de redução de acidentes laborais seja frequentemente invocado para justificar uma aplicação preventiva de testes de álcool e drogas no trabalho, há poucas evidências estatisticamente relevantes das pressupostas causalidade e correlação negativa entre a sujeição aos testes e os posteriores acidentes. Os dados de testes e dos acidentes ocorridos com os colaboradores de uma transportadora ferroviária portuguesa de âmbito nacional, durante anos recentes, começam agora a ser explorados, em busca de relações entre estas e outras variáveis biográficas. - Although the aim of reducing occupational accidents is frequently cited to justify preventive drug and alcohol testing at work, there is little statistically significant evidence of the assumed causality and negative correlation between exposure to testing and subsequent accidents. Data mining of tests and accidents involving employees of a Portuguese national wide railway transportation company, during recent years, is now beginning in search of relations between these and other biographical variables.

The low cost phenomenon

LCC Market Development - In 1996 low cost airlines (LCCs) accounted for only 1.4% of intra-European Union capacity. By the end of 2002, low cost airlines had captured 12% of all intra-EU capacity - Currently LCCs have a 30% market share of scheduled European point-to-point passengers. According to AEA forecasts, the LC market is expected to increase to 43% of European traffic by 2011. - In 2006 140 million passengers were carried by LCCs. - Low-fare airlines have increased their presence from 13% of city pairs in 2003 to 26% in 2007. 96% of new city-pairs between 2005 and 2007 were added by LCCs. - The United Kingdom still sees the highest number of low-cost flights, followed by Spain, which has been making up a lot of ground over the last year. This is followed by Italy and Germany with slightly fewer flights. These four countries contribute to roughly three quarters of low-cost departures. France is fifth in this list with only 5% of LC flights. - easyJet and Ryanair continue to be the biggest players in the European LCC market accounting for about 40% of all LCC capacity. The top two are followed by Airberlin, which contributes another 10% leaving three carriers in control of half the European low-cost market.