NASA Expands Contract With InterSense for Enhancements to Emerging Air Transportation System

InterSense Inc., a market leader in precision motion technology, has received additional funding from NASA to expand development of a commercial cockpit vision system based on the company's hybrid inertial-optical motion tracking technology. This contract follows a Phase III SBIR awarded by NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC) in 2007 to deliver a miniaturized IS-1200 head-tracking system integrated with a see-through head-mounted display to provide virtual flight guidance information to commercial pilots across their full field of view.

The initial contract called for InterSense to develop a prototype inertial-optical tracker integrated into a Head-Worn Display (HWD) for use by airline and business jet pilots. The system couples real-time position and orientation of the pilot's head with a head-worn display, enabling the pilot to see critical spatially-integrated SVS/EVS (Synthetic/Enhanced Vision System) information without having to look down into the cockpit and without requiring a fixed-mounted Heads-Up Display (HUD). This "low clutter," ergonomic solution is lightweight and unobtrusive while saving on weight, fuel consumption and installation costs. The additional funding will seek to further minimize equipment installation required to support the system while also enhancing its accuracy under low ambient light conditions.

"We are pleased NASA has given us the opportunity to continue the work we began as part of the Phase III SBIR contract and to further enhance the operation of the system," stated T.C. Browne, CEO, InterSense Inc. "This additional award demonstrates not only NASA's commitment to developing and ultimately deploying a commercial product for pilots, but also validates InterSense's ability to deliver robust, real-time motion tracking for demanding guidance applications."

About InterSense

Founded in 1996, InterSense Inc. is a precision motion technology company delivering real time positioning, tracking and alignment capabilities, which bring higher speed and quality to visual simulation, enhanced vision and navigation applications. InterSense's patented motion tracking products enable realistic interaction with computer graphics for demanding applications such as simulation and training; cockpit and vehicle guidance; oil and gas exploration; manufacturing; virtual prototyping and design; medical imaging; entertainment; and video/film production. Privately-held InterSense is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.intersense.com .

Press Contacts: Jonathan Bloom Citigate Cunningham for InterSense 1 617 374 4298 jbloom@citigatecunningham.com