Oki Electric Industry Company has released what they claim is the world’s thinnest tri-axial accelerometer that utilizes MEMS technology. The ML8950 detects tri-axis acceleration, inclination and vibration and outputs the signal in a digital format.

Bruel and Kjaer have released a new surface mount microphone (Type 4948) that is only 2.5mm in height. The microphone supports the TEDS identification system.

Read more on the Bruel and Kjaer web site.

Microstrain have released a set of wireless sensors such as tri-axial accelerometers, inclinometers, strain gauges, and thermocouples. The wireless devices have a range of about 30m.

ZF Sachs are selling Continuously Damping Control (CDC) shock absorbers that uses an electronic variable valve to control oil flow. The units were availabe in 2001 on the BMW 7 series as an option, and is now available on the VW Phaeton, and the Opel Astra.

The toy company Mattel has signed a deal with NXT to investigate the use their loudspeaker technologies in their toys. NXT make Distributed Mode loudspeakers, which uses a vibrating plate to generate sound.

Read more on the NXT web site.

MTS and National Instruments have announced a long-term contractual agreement where MTS plan to use National Instruments’ LabVIEW software for their noise and vibration measurement systems. Readers can find out about each company’s long term strategy on the National Instruments and MTS web sites.

Engineers at DaimlerChrylser have tested a vibrating accelerator pedal that warns drivers of impeding traffic congestion at upcoming intersections. The system is linked to a GPS system to determine the location of the car on the road network and a vehicle detection radar determines the proximity of the nearest vehicle in front of the car. Trials with 70 volunteers found that that fuel consumption dropped by 11%.

Belcan has acquired the COMET acoustics business from Collins & Aikman on 15 Dec 2003. The COMET software development, support and NVH consulting team also joined Belcan.

Check out the Jobs section for a new job opening for a junior vibration and acoustic engineer in Billerica MA, USA.

The new Star City bridge over the Monongahela River in West Virginia has 770 sensors and 28 data loggers attached to it to monitor the condition of the bridge.

Read more about the project on the West Virginia University web site.