Message #33 From:
Stock News Bot Date: October 18, 2006 09:16:00 AM
FLXT News Flexpoint's Technology Yields New Applications
DRAPER, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flexpoint Sensor Systems Inc. (OTCBB:FLXT) today announced the company
has been working both internally and with potential customers to develop
new applications for its Bend Sensor®
Technology. The company wanted to inform the market on recent
significant events as well as discuss the expansion of its product line.
Flexpoint has designed a number of sensors for the automotive industry
which provides the largest revenue potential for the company. Among a
number of applications, two separate technologies are currently in
advanced development: the Pedestrian Impact Detection System and a Seat
Belt Reminder System or SBR. The SBR is an additional application of the
company’s technology.
Four separate automotive suppliers and OEMs are at various stages of
testing the Pedestrian Impact Detection System. On June 13th,
2006 Flexpoint announced a Joint Development Agreement with Faurecia,
Europe’s second largest automotive supplier,
to advance the development of the Pedestrian System.
“Since this announcement the company has been
working with Faurecia and its engineers to finalize the testing,”
stated CEO Clark Mower. “The testing
requirement has taken longer then we originally anticipated because the
Pedestrian Safety Requirements are new for the automotive industry and
that, combined with the unique Bend Sensor®
technology, has required us to develop new testing protocols which
exceed all standards that previously existed. Being compelled to go
through all this redundant testing has not only proven to the
marketplace the significance of our technology but validates the true
potential of our sensors and has spurred the development of new
applications.”
One of the applications of our technology that was spawned from this
testing is the Seat Belt Reminder, a sensor which alerts the occupant to
fasten their seat belt upon entering the vehicles seat. The company is
currently working with multiple manufacturers to potentially replace
existing devices in the marketplace with a system that is superior in
performance and will be at a lower price point. Because this sensor
replaces existing technology the implementation phase is significantly
reduced.
Flexpoint has received renewed interest in the Occupant Classification
System from a Tier 1 supplier. The OCS is an array of sensors placed in
the seat of an automobile to classify the weight and position of the
occupant. The system can differentiate between a large adult, a smaller
adult, a child, an infant seat, or detect bags or items placed on the
seat. By identifying the size and position of the occupant, the system
can adjust the deployment of the airbag so it will not impact an adult
in the same manner as a child.
Flexpoint is working with two Tier 1 Suppliers on an updated version of
its horn switch. This system places sensors in the steering wheel to
activate the horn control upon pressure on any part of the steering wheel’s
surface. There are a series of problems with current horn switches and
airbag systems in the marketplace that Flexpoint believes they can solve
using its Bend Sensor®
technology. Due to recent changes in the industry, including new safety
standards, the company has seen renewed interest from suppliers for this
system. Currently, the company is working to adapt its horn switch to
the specification of an auto manufacturer’s.
The horn switch has been vigorously tested over the years but the
company discovered the system was too far advanced for the marketplace.
The company has also developed a number of sensors for the Medical
Industry, including sensors for a medical bed mattress. The sensors in
the medical bed detect movement and body position on the surface of the
air chambers in the mattress. The sensors can monitor if a patient has
moved within a given period of time and can detect an increase in
pressure on any given area of the body. Once pressure is detected the
bed can make slight adjustments to help in the comfort of the patient,
or relieve pressure from an area of recent injury, surgery, or trauma.
The bed can also be used to increase and decrease pressures, helping to
eliminate the formation of bed sores, and assist in the “rolling”
of the patient to aid in patient treatment and care.
On September 28th, 2005 Flexpoint announced a
contract with R&D Products to supply sensors for the medical bed
mattress.
This contract remains a viable agreement. Due to the advanced nature of
this technology the medical community has been hesitant to purchase
these mattresses in any quantities until insurance companies adopt
standards for the industry. R&D has worked diligently with industry
leaders to set these standards. R&D believes these standards are close
to being accepted which will pave the way for new sales. Flexpoint
continues to work with R&D products and other 3rd
party bed suppliers.
A commercial application for the bed is also being developed. A
prototype of the commercial version of the bed is in the final stages of
testing in preparation for R&D to begin marketing to commercial
distributors.
Flexpoint also has an expanding line of commercial and industrial
applications:
Vibration Detection Sensors can beinstalled in rotating
or spinning equipment to detect when the equipment begins to wear or
becomes out of alignment which induces vibration.
Flow Sensors measure the presence or amount of liquid flow in a
pipe or other similar apparatus. The direction and/or amount of liquid
flow can be determined and monitored at all times. The company expects
this product to go to market in the next 3-6 months. Flexpoint is also
working with a number of other customers who are interested in measuring
fluid flow in a wide variety of environments. The current market for
this type of device exceeds $400 Million dollars annually worldwide.
Safety Switch allows for the shutdown of equipment and/or
machinery when it detects a foreign object entering into the operating
or safety zone. The unique single layer design allows the Bend Sensor®
to be molded into rubber or plastic materials. As the rubber is
deflected, it also bends our sensor. As the resistance level increases
above the desired threshold, the piece of equipment is automatically
shut off. The company is working with a manufacturer of lawn mowers for
incorporation of the Bend Sensor®
into their product.
Touch Control is asensor that is placed on a control
panel, and either acts as an on/off switch or allows values of specified
equipment to be changed with the touch of a finger. Flexpoint is working
with a major manufacturer to incorporate the sensor into a product they
are developing for a significant client.
Humidity Sensors detect and measure changes in humidity. Some of
the advantages of the Flexpoint humidity sensor are: lower cost, ease of
manufacture, and flexibility of design form. The company is
collaborating with a prominent manufacturer in the development and
refinement of the sensor, which Flexpoint expects to soon be marketing.
Building Security-The Bend Sensor®can be configured and printed into relatively large arrays or mats
that can be placed at the entrances of buildings. The mats then monitor
or identify the type of traffic entering and exiting of the building.
The thin nature of the substrate will allow the sensors to be laminated
into carpets or door mats, making the sensor inconspicuous. The
uniqueness of the sensor mat is that it is a single layer and does not
need secondary or tertiary layers to function. Because of this they can
provide a high level of reliability and durability.
Counting Switch is a verybasic application of the Bend
Sensor®. The sensor
can be set up to count any number of items in various processes. This
can range from counting boxes coming through an assembly line to
counting actuations on a life cycling machine.
Ricochet Development uses the sensor to count paint balls as they drop
down from the hopper which resides atop the paint ball gun. Each time
the paint ball drops from the hopper down into the gun, the counter
counts down by one. The display shows the individual how many paint
balls they have left in the hopper at any given time.
Toy Sensor-Flexpoint is also working with a major toy
manufacturer to incorporate the Bend Sensor®
into a product they are developing for a client.The sensor is
incorporated into the toy and allows the toy to give various programmed
responses, in reaction to the touch. This gives the toy a more
realistic, or humanistic character. Flexpoint has a history of success
within the toy industry.
“As you can see we have a diversified and
extensive line of Bend Sensors applications that are in various stages
of development. The majority of the sensors we have mentioned, which are
among numerous applications being developed with a third party
manufacturer or in conjunction with suppliers who can expedite the
technology to market,” commented Flexpoint’s
CEO Clark Mower.
Mr. Mower continued, “We are working very
diligently on developing new products and we are taking a new approach
in the way we communicate these events to the investing and financial
community. Moving forward you will see regular communication from the
company. We have been working on a number of contracts but due to the
uniqueness of our technology the testing phase has taken longer then we
had anticipated. We want to ensure our shareholders that we continue to
make great progress in realizing significant relationships and contracts
that will build the financial success of the company and its future.”
Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc.
Manufacturers a patented cutting edge flexible sensor, that has also
proven to be an extremely durable switch. The single layer Bend Sensor®
product allows for the measurement of mechanical movement, air flow,
water flow or even vibration. It can be used as a range of motion
sensor, or as a durable, & reliable switch in most harsh environments.
Flexpoint serves numerous industries including automotive, medical,
industrial controls & more.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements.
Investors are cautioned that certain statements in this release are
"forward-looking statements" and involve both known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors. Such uncertainties include, among
others, certain risks associated with the operation of the company
described above. The Company's actual results could differ materially
from expected results.