The customer wanted to review a product for displaying bus timetable information to the public, which was solar powered. This comprised a large solar panel, large batteries and a TFT display navigated using three buttons. The problems facing the customer were very high production costs, large size, maintainability, communications costs and user-friendliness. Market research also indicate that there was a substantial opportunity for a lower cost/higher volume product.

The project started with conceptual designs, both electronic and physical,tested on customers, which resulted in a design specification. The initial design involved the elelctronics, case design, touch-screen navigation, communications, solar power system mounting hardware, software  and outsourcing of the hardware and assembly. The resulting product reduced costs by approximately 83% and exceeded customer expectations for operation, particularly in the winter, through careful design of the power consumption and solar power system.