Share
ALBUQUERQUE, NM--SBS Technologies® (Nasdaq: SBSE), a leading designer and manufacturer of embedded computer solutions, today announced a partnership with Autonomous Vehicle Systems LLC to demonstrate rugged SBS products as essential components for future military unmanned ground vehicles. SBS Technologies intends to supply its CR9 single board computers in an RCOM11 chassis for a retrofit inside a US Marine HMMWV with a suite of advanced navigation and sensor systems. The completely autonomous vehicle concept, Flying Fox, will participate in the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge as an open exhibit for Future Combat Systems enabling technologies. "The SBS Technologies product line is a natural fit for unmanned military vehicles operating in harsh conditions. Using SBS Technologies single board computers, we can leverage the computing power of recent developments in the industry, and integrate a form factor that complements the tough fabrication of the HMMWV. Our research team is pleased with the architectural options provided by the SBS components = - from specific embedded standards to I/O," said Dan Komaromi, Vice President of Autonomous Vehicle Systems. Scheduled for October 2005, the DARPA Grand Challenge for autonomous robotic ground vehicles will cover a course of approximately 175 miles across the California/Nevada desert. The vehicle that most quickly completes the route in less than 10 hours will receive a cash award of $2 million. This challenge is intended to spur the accelerated development of autonomous robotic ground vehicle technology for military applications, and is the second in a series of Grand Challenges planned by DARPA. The need for the Grand Challenge comes from Congressional authority in the National Defense Authorization Act, which provides that "It shall be a goal of the Armed Forces to achieve the fielding of unmanned, remotely-controlled technology such that, by 2015, one-third of the operational ground combat vehicles of the Armed Forces are unmanned. The root of this directive is that for every unmanned vehicle deployed in combat, American military personnel are removed from harm's way."
About SBS Technologies SBS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBSE), founded in 1986, designs and builds a wide range of standard and customized embedded computer products. Our products include processor boards, input/output modules, networking devices, and complete computer systems. Our products are used in many industries, including telecommunications, medical electronics, industrial automation and defense. Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, SBS maintains eight primary operating locations, has regional sales offices throughout the United States and has international sales and support offices in six countries. More information on SBS is available at www.sbs.com. Media contact: Herb Bethoney, media@sbs.com. This new product announcement contains forward-looking statements concerning SBS Technologies, Inc.'s product strategy, technology capability, future product releases, competitive leadership and product capabilities. These statements reflect the perspectives and expectations of SBS management as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risk factors, including sales and product strategy within SBS; product development delays that may occur; changes in SBS product priorities and market demands; adequacy of staffing of SBS product development efforts; manufacturing delays; the impact of rapid technological and market change; and other risk factors listed from time to time in the SBS SEC reports, including those listed under "Risk Factors" in the SBS Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports. About Autonomous Vehicle Systems LLC Autonomous Vehicle Systems LLC brings together industry professionals and research scientists to advance breakthroughs and products in driverless vehicle technology. Based in San Diego, CA, Autonomous Vehicle Systems LLC maintains a vehicle integration center in Fullerton, CA with an international team of highly skilled individuals, corporate partners, and academic institutions. More information on the company is available at www.autonvs.com. Media contact: Dan Komaromi, media@autonvs.com.