Hands-free "GPSteer" is significant addition to CSI's precision guidance product line
CALGARY, Alberta - June 30, 2004 - (TSX:CSY): CSI Wireless Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced wireless and GPS products used in almost 50 countries, today announced the introduction of GPSteer - a CSI-branded, automatic steering system for tractors and other self-propelled agricultural equipment. GPSteer is now available, and marketed globally through CSI Wireless' distribution partners to end-users, farm equipment manufacturers, and guidance system integrators.
"GPSteer represents a significant addition to the portfolio of precision guidance products for agriculture available from CSI Wireless and our Satloc LLC subsidiary," said Stephen Verhoeff, CSI's President and CEO. "This innovative after-market product well help us capture even greater market share in the rapidly growing precision guidance sector."
GPSteer automatically steers agricultural vehicles along consistently straight or curved rows. Drivers need to use the steering wheel only when turning at the end of each row. They engage GPSteer when starting a row, and the system automatically disengages when they begin turning at the end of the row.
GPSteer enhances driver accuracy and improves field productivity by reducing costly overlaps and "skips" between rows. It also reduces driver fatigue and enables vehicles to operate at night or in other low-visibility environments, which means increased flexibility and productivity. GPSteer can be quickly and conveniently installed on a variety of new and used tractors and other self-propelled equipment.
GPSteer functions with a variety of CSI/Satloc-branded GPS receivers - including the SLXg3 and AgIQ - and with competing GPS receivers. It is competitively priced below rival auto-steering systems.
"We're already experiencing strong market interest in GPSteer, thanks to the excitement created by our successful beta and in-field testing," Mr. Verhoeff said. "There are hundreds of thousands of new and used tractors and other self-propelled equipment sold around the world each year. GPSteer is a potential value-added addition to all of them - meaning the market for this product is very large."
Auto-Steering Patent Pending GPSteer features unique patent-pending technology from CSI Wireless. The technology enables an automatic steering system to constantly compare where a vehicle is heading with where it should be heading. GPSteer uses this information to make subtle corrections to maintain the vehicle on its proper heading without over-steering that would create oscillating or zig-zag patterns across the farm field.
About CSI Wireless With offices in Calgary, Silicon Valley, and Phoenix, CSI Wireless designs and manufactures innovative, cost-effective, wireless and GPS products for mobile and fixed applications in the agriculture, marine, automotive and other markets. CSI is a leader in several emerging high-growth markets including Precision Guidance in Agriculture, Consumer Telematics and Fixed Wireless Telephones. The Company owns numerous patents and intellectual property relating to wireless and GPS technologies. It has licensed its cellular technology to GPS, cellular handset, and chipset manufacturers. The company's common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "CSY", with approximately 33 million outstanding. For more information about CSI Wireless, go to www.csi-wireless.com.
