CSI Wireless supplying Asset-Link(TM) tracking systems for world's longest solar car race
Written by CSI Wireless
Monday, 06 June 2005
Systems will enhance racers' safety/security, and public interest in North American Solar Challenge
CALGARY, Alberta, Canada - June 6, 2005 - (TSX:CSY) - CSI Wireless Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced wireless and GPS products used in more than 50 countries, today announced that it has become a major sponsor of the world's longest solar car race by supplying asset-tracking products so organizers and fans can closely track the solar-powered cars' progress throughout the 2,500-mile race.
CSI Wireless will equip each of as many as 30 university teams and their flying-saucer-like cars in the North American Solar Challenge (July 17-27 from Austin, Texas, to Calgary, Alberta) with CSI-built Asset-Link(TM) systems - state-of-the-art technology for monitoring and management rental cars, truck fleets, construction equipment and other mobile assets.
The Asset-Link units will transmit data identifying each car's location, heading and speed every 10 minutes. CSI will relay the data to race officials. Internet-accessible maps will pinpoint a car's location so precisely that officials will know on what street it is traveling, and when it has crossed specific intersections. Regularly updated maps featuring the cars' current locations will be available for public viewing on the solar challenge Web site at http://www.americansolarchallenge.org/.
"CSI's Asset-Link units are a major benefit to the competition's organizers and fans," said solar challenge Director Dan Eberle. "The units will help event organizers ensure the safety and security of the solar cars and their drivers, while confirming the cars are following the prescribed course. The units will also enable fans to take an active, personal interest in the 11-day event by monitoring the teams' progress."
"CSI Wireless is delighted to enhance the quality and excitement of the solar challenge, and to make it much more accessible to the general public," said Stephen Verhoeff, CSI's President and CEO. "The solar challenge offers a unique opportunity for us to showcase our asset-tracking products - they'll be used by event officials in the same way they are used by trucking companies and other fleet operators - while also helping to promote solar power and other renewable energy sources."
CSI's asset-tracking or Telematics products include the Asset-Link product line, featuring GSM and/or Aeris.net's MicroBurst(R) wireless technology, and the Fleet-Link(TM) line specifically for tracking truck trailers. CSI's Telematics customers achieve strong returns on investment through operational efficiencies such as:
- Lowering fuel and maintenance costs by monitoring speed and idling time;
- Increasing fleet efficiency/productivity by monitoring vehicles' "stop time" during service calls
- Controlling "moonlighting," "side trips" and other unauthorized use of vehicles
- Reducing accident rates by making drivers more aware of their driving habits
- Monitoring engine usage for scheduling maintenance or equipment utilization
Other solar challenge sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy, Environment Canada, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Aeris.net.
The first two solar challenges - in 2001 and 2003 - followed the famous Route 66 highway between Chicago and Los Angeles. This year, for the first time, the challenge will include Canadian stops - and finish in Calgary.
The cars will leave on July 17 from the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in downtown Austin and arrive on July 27 at the University of Calgary's Olympic Oval. They will compete for about 10 hours a day, traveling on conventional highways at conventional highway speeds - powered only by the sun.
There will be check stops and/or overnight stays in Weatherford, Texas; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Topeka, Kansas; Omaha, Nebraska; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Fargo, North Dakota; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Brandon, Manitoba; Regina, Saskatchewan; Medicine Hat, Alberta; and Calgary, Alberta.
More than 40 universities from across North America are hoping to be among the teams that qualify to enter their cars in this year's solar challenge. The first qualifying competition was held in late May in Topeka. A final elimination qualifier will be held July 10-15 in Austin.
About CSI Wireless
CSI Wireless designs and manufactures innovative, cost-effective, wireless and GPS products for mobile and fixed applications in the agriculture, marine, automotive and other industries. CSI is a leader in several high-growth markets including Telematics, Precision Guidance in Agriculture, and Desktop Cellular Telephones. The Company, through its Wireless and its Hemisphere GPS divisions, owns numerous patents and other intellectual property. It has licensed its cellular technology to GPS, cellular handset, and chipset manufacturers. CSI's common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "CSY", with approximately 42 million outstanding. The company's head offices are in Calgary, Alberta, and it has major product development, sales and marketing facilities in California's Silicon Valley, Arizona and Kansas. For more information about CSI, go to www.csi-wireless.com.
The above disclosure contains certain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond CSI Wireless' control, including: the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and market valuations of companies with respect to the announced transactions and the final valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities. CSI Wireless' actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, CSI Wireless will derive therefrom.
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