The European Centre for Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technologies, in Halifax, UK, is expected to become operational later this year, and is due for completion in Spring 2007. Yorkshire Forward is investing more than £5 M in the centre, with additional funding from the UK Department of Trade and Industry, the European Regional Development fund and AIM UK.
AIDC technologies cover a range of products, including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), smart cards, barcodes, biometrics and magnetic strips. The new European centre for AIDC will not only play a world role in promoting the development and uptake of all automatic identification technologies, but will also contribute to the setting of globally accepted standards for their application.
Managed by AIDC UK, the centre will have a multi-purpose theatre with accommodation for 70 delegates, plus a state-of-the-art technology demonstration area capable of showing practical uses of the technology. This area will be themed to show possible applications within a range of industries. An on-site laboratory will provide testing and research services for application research and student training.