In a car, such a system could analyse a developing fault and add it to a coming service schedule if it were minor, or if it were more serious locate a nearby service centre, check on workshop availability and suggest the driver go there immediately.

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The system also allows assessors to manipulate and analyse the data produced from the papers.

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The project is part of a European-funded initiative, known as Smart ("search engine for multimedia environment-generated content"), which aims to create a system for internet users to search and analyse data from sensors.

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The system involves actors at the regional, national and local levels to gather, analyse and disseminate information.

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The firm said it would analyse the data and prepare for another test flight aimed at demonstrating the system to regulators in "coming days".

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