Army Research Laboratory Recognizes Military Intelligence and Training
Capabilities of V.I.O. POV.1 Wearable Video Capture Device with Direct
Funding for Advanced R&D
MARQUETTE, Mich., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- V.I.O. Inc., the leading
innovator of hands-free video technology, announced today a direct funding
collaboration with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to perform
research and development of specialized wearable video technology for
military and law enforcement applications.
Part of a multi-year agreement with the ARL, first year funding of
$862,000 was awarded to V.I.O. Inc., a developer of wearable video
technology based in Marquette, Michigan. Under this agreement, V.I.O.,
subcontracted with Michigan Technological University, will perform research
and development of wearable video capture electronics specialized for
military and law enforcement. V.I.O will demonstrate to The Army new R&D
refinements on their current video system, the POV.1 to help military and
law enforcement succeed in a variety of applications in the future. The
funding is part of the Department of Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal
year 2007 and also in the Conference Report passed by the U.S. House of
Representatives for fiscal year 2008. "The V.I.O. wearable video technology
offers a very unique capability for the warfighter to further increase the
ability to see the battlespace," said Dr. Eric Forsythe of the ARL. "The
ARL is very pleased to be working with V.I.O. to further advance this
important technology."
V.I.O. has received strong support from Michigan House and Senate
representatives in support of the ARL agreement. "I am pleased that V.I.O.
Incorporated will be playing a role in the development of wearable video
technology for our military," stated Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Chairman of
the Senate Armed Services Committee. "This technology could aid troops in
intelligence gathering, mission debriefing, and training activities. We
must continue to leverage the strong contributions of Michigan's small
businesses to provide the best tools available to our men and women in
uniform."
Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) added, "The groundbreaking video
technology being developed by V.I.O. Inc. will help keep our troops safe
and also has important applications for law enforcement. I am proud this
innovative work is being performed by northern Michigan entrepreneurs and
employees."
The current wearable POV.1 platform is a fully integrated, rugged
point-of-view (POV) video system that's waterproof, dustproof and
shock-resistant. The system includes a mountable camera head, microphone,
built-in video recorder with LCD screen, wireless remote and PC software
for managing and distributing video content. The POV.1 has been in combat
use by two infantry divisions of the U.S. Army deployed in Iraq. The POV.1
is also sold in public safety, law enforcement and in commercial and active
sports markets.
"Initial production of our POV digital camera in the fall of 2007, was
prioritized for orders from several infantry divisions operating in
battlefield conditions overseas," said David Ollila, President of V.I.O.
"Feedback from soldiers using the system on the ground drives our focus
around research and development to design the next generation wearable
video camera. Our partnership with the Army Research Laboratory provides
critical resources to do this well."
The contract is part of the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate's
(SEDD) research and development of sensors and electron devices. The SEDD
conducts innovative research to provide the Army with affordable enabling
technology in electro-optic sensors, advanced radio frequency (RF)
technologies, autonomous sensing, power & energy, and signature management.
SEDD, in collaboration with academic and industry partners, conducts basic
and applied research on electro-optic and photonic devices (including
active and passive sensing technologies) and transition these technologies
in support of reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillance and target
acquisition (RISTA); fire control; guidance; fusing; survivability;
mobility; and lethality applications.
"We are very pleased to partner with V.I.O. on the Wearable Video
Capture System/POV project," said Rick Berkey, Senior Research Engineer and
Manager of Project Development at Michigan Tech. Michigan Tech's Enterprise
Program continues to provide an effective way to connect industry with
bright, energetic, and entrepreneurial students. "V.I.O.'s technology and
products align well with several of our faculty's research and expertise in
electronics, optics, photonics, and wireless communications," added Berkey.
"It presents a challenging and rewarding opportunity for our Integrated
Microsystems Enterprise (IME) to help V.I.O. advance its POV product to
better meet the demands of military, law enforcement, and consumer
markets."
V.I.O. cameras and integrated POV systems are wearable. They are
manufactured to be lightweight and to withstand a variety of climate
conditions. In addition, their design makes them simple to use. V.I.O. has
established the benchmark for durability, video quality and adaptability to
multiple uses.
Visit http://www.vio-pov.com to see the complete line of V.I.O. POV
products and accessories.
About V.I.O. Inc.
Since its inception in 2000, V.I.O. Inc., has been the leading
innovator in point-of-view wearable video technology. The V.I.O.
point-of-view system is unique in that it's designed specifically to
capture adventure and tactical video. V.I.O.'s customers include
professional and amateur athletes in a wide variety of sports such as
mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, skydiving, motocross, snowmobiling,
and auto racing. Other industries relying on V.I.O. video systems include
the military, law enforcement, aviation, and movie and television
production. For more information, visit http://www.vio-pov.com or call
1-888-579-2267.
Contact: Dax Kelm
Carmichael Lynch Spong
307.733.1514
dax.kelm@clynch.com
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