HOUSTON, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- CMP Media has named Texas Instruments
(TI) and the Segway(TM) Human Transporter (HT) as finalists in its 2003
Embedded Systems Conference "Best of Show" award for the most superior
embedded technology in an end-user application displayed by an exhibitor. By
leveraging its leadership in digital signal processing (DSP), TI is able to
help deliver truly innovative products such as Segway's Human Transporter that
provide innovation and that meet customer's embedded control requirements.
The Segway HT leverages TI's C2000(TM) DSP platform of controllers because
of their small size and peripheral integration, delivering an innovative,
first-of-a-kind, self-balancing, personal transportation system that's
designed to operate in any pedestrian environment. The balancing system
allows users to guide the transporter intuitively both forward and backward
just as a person would when walking normally. The Segway HT was designed to
make short-distance travel more efficient, while allowing the operator to
carry heavier loads at greater distances, enabling greater productivity. The
Segway HT stays upright and balanced because of a technology called dynamic
stabilization. Dynamic stabilization uses inputs from solid-state gyroscopes
and tilt sensors that are analyzed by the C2000 DSP controller in real time.
The DSP controller then makes minute adjustments to two powerful electric
motors one hundred times a second allowing Segway HT to instantaneously adjust
to rider input and provide a safe and enjoyable ride.
"Since the Segway HT takes up no more space than an average person, space
is an issue. The high level of performance and integration that the TI's DSP
controllers give us with on board flash, and communication and control
peripherals met out strict space requirements," said Phil LeMay, Manager of
Embedded Designs, Segway LLC.
Besides offering a high level of performance, each C2000 DSP integrates
many functions that are used in the Segway HT system operation. Communication
with other data handling devices, a vital function in such a complex system,
is achieved through the on-chip bus interfaces and CAN controller. The
integrated, on-board analog-to-digital converter (ADC) continually feeds
digitized data to the DSP for fast, real-time, system monitoring. Segway HT's
sophisticated monitoring and control system also includes a number of TI high
performance analog devices including multiplexers/demultiplexers, hex
inverters, rail-to-rail quad operational amplifiers and LinCMOS(TM) voltage
comparators.
On-board event managers, timers and pulse-width modulation (PWM) provide
the versatility needed for the system's complex motor controls and other
functions. On-chip memory stores the entire code for operating the system,
providing fast response and operation. TI's emulation support using the JTAG
interface simplified coded debugging, helped the Segway team develop the
complex software more quickly and with maximum reliability. For more
information about C2000 DSP Controllers, visit http://www.ti.com/c2000info .
Finalists were chosen for new and innovative uses of embedded technology
in end products that use technology in a new or innovative way, offer higher
levels of performance or that demonstrate a new approach previously not seen
in the market. Winners will be announced at ESC on April 23 at 6.00 pm in
booth 238.
About Segway
Segway LLC is a Manchester, New Hampshire-based business founded by
renowned inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen to provide a solution to short-
distance travel. The company has created the Segway(TM) Human Transporter
(HT), the first self-balancing, electric-powered transporter designed to
enhance the productivity of people by increasing the distance they can travel
and the amount they can carry. Segway is funded by: Credit Suisse First
Boston Private Equity, one of the largest managers of alternative assets in
the world, through Credit Suisse First Boston Equity Partners, L.P. and
associated funds; Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the leading venture
capital firm helping entrepreneurs build sustainable technology businesses;
and individual investors. For additional information about Segway, please
visit the Web site at: http://www.segway.com . Press releases and digital images are
available at Segway's online Press Center at: http://www.segway.com/news .
About the Embedded Systems Conference
With more than 11,500 attendees and over 300 exhibitors anticipated in
2003, CMP Media's Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco is:
-- The world's largest gathering of technologists, industry leaders,
academics, and media focused on embedded systems design and
development.
-- The premier educational forum for engineers and engineering managers
developing leading-edge products that incorporate embedded technology.
-- Renown for showcasing the most innovative technological breakthroughs
in embedded electronics design
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog
technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements.
In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors &
Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than
25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .
Trademarks
Segway is a trademark of Segway LLC in the United States and in other
countries.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated
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Related links:
http://www.segway.com/news
http://www.segway.com http://www.esconline.com
http://www.ti.com/c2000info http://www.ti.com
CONTACT:
Stephan Beek of Texas Instruments
Incorporated, +1-281-274-2321, or sbeek@ti.com ; or Mindy
Reisinger, +1-713-513-9561, or mreisinger@golinharris.com , for
Texas Instruments Incorporated. Please do not publish these
numbers or e-mail addresses.
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