Strong Performance in Finals for Optech-Sponsored Team

Primm, Nevada – Optech Incorporated, the global market leader in the development and manufacture of laser-based survey instruments, is pleased to announce that their sponsored team for the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge, Team Mojavaton, drove well despite placing 13th, due to mechanical problems.

The DARPA Grand Challenge is a competition to build a completely autonomous land vehicle. Team Mojavaton was among 23 contestants out of an original field of 146 teams to qualify for the final round—a grueling 131-mile course through punishing desert terrain. Part of Mojavaton’s successful Xterra platform, dubbed ‘Xboxx’, includes Optech’s ILRIS-3D laser imaging system. The Xboxx made it to the finals after placing 5th place in the semifinals and being the first entrant chosen to run the semifinal course.

Xboxx passed 10 of the 20 vehicles that had started earlier within the first 20 miles of the course. “It (Xboxx) was fast and always in the center of the road. Its passing maneuvers were flawless and it was still gaining ground on the bots ahead,” says Mojavaton team leader Jim Crittenden. But, “around mile marker 23, the servo motor that we installed a year ago to actuate the throttle suddenly failed, and the on board computer had no way to control the throttle.” This unexpected breakdown kept Xboxx from finishing the race. However, it still placed 13th out of 23 based on total distance navigated.

"Even though Xboxx didn’t finish the course, it’s commendable that the team conceived and executed the entire vehicle and its surrounding technology in under twelve months, without even having participated in the original Grand Challenge the previous year. It’s an admirable feat that Mojavaton made it to the finals in their Grand Challenge debut, with such a strong showing,” says Brent Gelhar, Director for the Industrial and 3D Imaging Products Division.“Optech's ILRIS-3D lidar technology played a key role throughout the past year in Team Mojavaton’s success. Optech Industrial and 3D Imaging Division is already deploying the lessons learned in this collaboration in the exciting new products which are emerging from our engineering groups. Optech is proud to have been able to participate with such a talented and capable team."

About Optech
Optech is the world leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of advanced laser-based survey instruments. The company offers client-driven solutions in airborne terrestrial mapping, airborne laser bathymetry, laser imaging, space-based atmospheric monitors and space-borne landing/docking systems, mine cavity monitoring systems and industrial process control.

About Mojavaton
Team Mojavaton (mo-HAH-va-tawn) is Colorado's entry in the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge. Mojavaton’s professional team has over 150 years of combined experience in custom machine design, electronic controls, and vision system solutions.

For further information, please contact:

Brent W. Gelhar Director, Industrial & 3D Imaging Division Optech Incorporated 300 Interchange Way Vaughan, ON L4K 5Z8 Canada Tel: +1 (905) 660-0808 Email: ilris_sales@optech.ca Website: www.optech.ca