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IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Evolution Robotics Offers NorthStar Development Kit to Research and Academic Institutions

Localization Solution to Provide Academics with New Tool for Robotic Research and Development in Navigation

Pasadena, Calif – October 21, 2004 – Evolution Robotics, a leading provider of next-generation robotics technologies and component solutions, today announced plans to offer its new navigation solution, NorthStarTM, as a development kit to research and academic institutions for robotic development projects beginning in Q1 2005. The NorthStar localization technology, which enables mobile devices to navigate more intelligently in indoor environments, will be available for $1,795 and provide researchers with an invaluable tool to advance robotic study and development.

Working indoors, the NorthStar system measures a device’s coordinates and heading using harmless and invisible IR light spots, either projected onto the ceiling of its environment, or generated by direct beacons. A NorthStar-enabled device can instantly determine its position and heading with good accuracy. Applications of this capability in the research environment could include general navigation research, ground truthing, position tracking, and virtual reality research.

“Evolution Robotics is committed to nurturing robotics research and education by providing breakthrough technologies at affordable prices,” said Paolo Pirjanian, Chief Scientist and General Manager of Education and Research Business Unit. “NorthStar is an important addition to our portfolio of offerings to research and education which includes the ER1 robot platform and Evolution Robotics Software Platform.”

With NorthStar, researchers will have the ability to work with the latest technology in robotics that will inspire new ideas and equip researchers with the most powerful indoor localization technology available.

“NorthStar not only provides OEMs the ability to add position awareness to their products at lower costs, but also offers a unique opportunity for research institutions to work with the most capable navigation solution on the market today for educational and development projects,” said Joe Brown, Vice President of Robotics Systems at Evolution Robotics. “We are on the threshold of a new and exciting era in robotics, and many of the innovations that will reshape our everyday lives begin in the classrooms and academic research labs throughout the country. NorthStar allows these kinds of projects to expand and test the boundaries of robotic engineering.”

“We are happy to be providing academia with the highest-level tools for their current projects,” said Alec Hudnut, President of Evolution Robotics. “The NorthStar Development Kit will empower robotics programs in many of the nation’s leading universities and research institutions to expand their research and continue to direct the future of robotics development. It is through the work of these programs that many useful robotics products enter the market and impact the lives of the consumer.” Due to high demand for NorthStar, interested customers are encouraged to sign up to the pre-order program as early as possible, by visiting Evolution Robotics’ booth at RoboNexus Friday, October 22, or Saturday, October 23, at the Santa Clara Convention Center (booth 304). It is also possible to pre-register online at www.evolution.com. OEMs can also contact Evolution Robotics for volume pricing and availability.

About Evolution Robotics
Evolution Robotics™ (www.evolution.com) develops state-of-the-art robotics solutions, and partners with original equipment manufacturers to integrate those technologies into new and more intelligent products. The company’s product line includes software, hardware and component solutions centered around their core technologies in computer vision and autonomous navigation. Its ERSP™ software development platform provides core infrastructure, computer vision, navigation and path planning, and human-robot interaction modules. These can be licensed individually or as a Software Development Kit. The NorthStar™ system is a low-cost localization solution that enables electronic devices to navigate more accurately in indoor environments. The company also markets LaneHawk™ a loss-prevention solution for retailers that reduces inventory shrinkage by automatically ringing up under-cart items. With its award-winning team of engineers, Evolution Robotics offers expertise and guidance to help its partners produce better products at competitive prices. Its mission is to accelerate the creation of a variety of highly functional robotics products across a broad range of industries. Evolution Robotics is an operating company of Idealab, a creator and operator of technology businesses.