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Wessex Advanced Switching Systems Ltd

Wessex Advanced Switching Products Ltd
Southmoor Lane
Havant
Hampshire
PO9 1JW
UK

Email: sales@wasp-ltd.co.uk
Web: http://www.waspswitches.co.uk
Tel: +44 239 245 3711
Fax: +44 239 247 3918

Wessex Advanced Switching Systems Ltd (WASP) designs and manufactures an extensive range of innovative products for the aerospace industry, from simple membrane-based passenger control units (PCUs) and seat control units (SCUs) right through to highly sophisticated LCD-based, menu-driven, touch-screen-based suite control systems. WASP is a leading UK manufacturer of customised professional rotary switches, membrane switches, keypads and touch-screens.

The company began making membrane-based switching panels for the aviation seat control market in the 1990s. Since then, SCUs have developed in line with the seats themselves (or suites as they tend to be called today), as airlines demand more and more features for their first- and business-class seats. WASP’s SCUs typically have controls for seat (backrest, footrest, armrest, headrest, massage, lumbar, heating and cooling), lighting (mood lights, reading lights, wash lights and overhead lights) and suite (attendant call, privacy divider and IFE control) features.

WASP’s SCUs are being used by airlines from all over the world and some of its work was seen in the futuristic design of Jet Airways’ first-class suite, which won the 2008 Crystal Cabin Award in the passenger and comfort category. This suite, designed by Priestmann Goode and built by BE Aerospace, showed the way forward for ‘super first-class’ seating.

WASP has developed products that use touch-screen technology as a method of incorporating the large number of switches needed to control all the features of modern aircraft seats. By using an LCD-based control, WASP has replaced traditional switches with simple touch-screen menus that have developed the technology into a complete suite control, information and entertainment system. Passengers can use the screen to access information on duty-free goods, inflight meals, destination guides, flight maps, games, music, video and even the internet.

WASP’s graphic user interface (GUI) is a totally flexible, fully programmable suite control unit. Once programmed, it can be fitted into a customised hand-held unit (wireless, corded or fixed), ready to stow in the armrest or side panel.