Aussie screens for Delhi CWG

Australian company installs LED screens for Commonwealth Games.

As we get closer to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and amidst fears that construction won’t meet the deadline, we are now slowly seeing pictures and footage of unique infrastructure in the form of buildings and stadiums finally being completed. In addition to this, one of the notable pieces of equipment making an impressive appearance is the massive LED (Light Emitting Diode) screens

And it is Australia’s MIC Technologies that is reaching sky high in Delhi - rather literally.

The Sydney-based MIC Technologies (the Australian branch of Indian company MIC Electronics) has been contracted to develop and install 17 large outdoor LED screens around Delhi, displaying up-to-date readings of pollution and other climate conditions in the area.

“It will show air pollution, weather and conditions that can be reviewed by spectators,” said Mr. Murthy Telugu, the head of this project. “This is the first time anyone has constructed these kind of screens during (any) Commonwealth Games.”

The contract for the Delhi Commonwealth Games was given to MIC by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).

“The design for these LED screens has been developed by our consultant in Australia,” said Mr. Telugu, clarifying the reason why this project is being headed by MIC Technologies in Australia rather than any other branches around the world which include Dubai, the USA and South Africa.

MIC Electronics began in Hyderabad in 1986, expanding to Sydney and Melbourne in 2004. The strength of the Australian branch is in green energy products. “Most of the designing of video screens and LED products are being done in Australia by MIC Technologies,” said Mr. Telugu. “MIC is promoting LED products and has developed LED lighting that saves 40% of energy”.

This, of course, will appease those worried about possible high energy consumption caused by these large screens being put up in Delhi. “MIC has been branded as a green energy revolution company in the field of LED products,” said Mr. Telegu. This is clearly a major point of interest for the Indian Government, which has dubbed the Delhi Commonwealth Games as the ‘Green Games’.

The 17 screens that will be installed for the Games, two of which are already up, will all be connected to each other through Wi-Fi technology. The largest measures at 12.8 feet by 8.53 feet, while smaller ones measure at 8.53 feet by 5.4. There will also be 6 indoor LCD screens installed, measuring at 60 inches each

Besides being a leader in green energy product research and development, Murthy Telugu explained that MIC is a “unique company, as it is the only manufacturing unit of LED and video screens in all of India.”

“It’s a research and development company. MIC has won a number of awards by the Indian Government,” he added.

MIC Technologies owes its success to its CEO and Chairman, Dr. MV Ramana Rao who is very passionate about developing good products and technologies for the community to use, claims Mr. Telugu. A scholar and researcher in this field, Dr. Rao has pushed MIC Technologies to higher heights and up into the sky in 2010 for the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

The 17 screens that will be installed for the Games, two of which are already up, will all be connected to each other through Wi-Fi technology. The largest measures at 12.8 feet by 8.53 feet, while smaller ones measure at 8.53 feet by 5.4. There will also be 6 indoor LCD screens installed, measuring at 60 inches each.

“As part of the contract we are also expecting to put up screens at railway stations,” said Mr. Telugu.

MIC Technologies also developed a specially designed software program for the LED screens which will link them through Wi-fi, with automatic updates straight from the IITM.

While the LED screen technology isn’t new, the way in which the technology is being used specifically for this project is unique. An emissions inventory has been prepared by scientists from the Pune-based IITM that will be used in conjunction with MIC’s software. “This project caters to information which is really useful for every person who walks on Delhi streets,” said Mr. Telugu.

The future of these screens after the Commonwealth Games is still unknown. However Mr. Telugu believes they will remain up as a public information service. “At the moment it will be used for pollution readings, weather and climate information. But it will be phased in with a lot of additional information including traffic conditions or emergency information, that the public will like to know,” added Mr. Telugu.

MIC Technologies’ role in Australia is also expanding with many local projects. The company has supplied the LED perimeter screens for the Parramatta League Club at Parramatta Stadium. This project was one of the motivating factors which led to a unique initiative where the Parramatta League Club and its rugby players invited the Indian community to watch the game between offering 200 free passes to the Indian community. As part of the organisation team for this night, Mr. Telugu believes it was a great success. “The spectators numbered 16 to 17,000,” he said. “The bhangra performance during half-time was received really well too”.

In return, MIC has invited Mr. Osborne and the Parramatta Eels players to visit India. Mr. Osborne has visited India before, travelling to MIC’s factories in India before placing an order for the perimeter screens for Parramatta Stadium.

The initiative was headed by Parramatta League Club’s CEO, Mr. Paul Osborne. “MIC has created an opportunity for Indians to be associated and become involved with Australian rugby,” said Mr. Telugu. “This (I believe) is the first initiative between the rugby industry in Australia and the Indian community.”

The future of MIC Technologies seems as vast as its 8 foot screens going up around Delhi. “We are currently in 3 main sectors in Australia: IT, telecommunications and LED development, with a focus on green energy. We hope to expand within the Australian market,” revealed Mr. Telugu.

With affiliations to the Australian sporting sector and hopes to build facilities in Australia for the production of LED lights, MIC hopes to create new jobs and a stronger tie between India and Australia.

Globally, the future of the LED screens is an avenue that is still to be explored. “In Australia however, extreme weather conditions may make it difficult to put up. But they should definitely be implemented in Sydney,” concluded Mr. Telegu.