*************************CREATE YOUR EXPERIENCE*************************

1. SensAble launches PHANTOM Omni Developer Kit
2. Ascension releases MotionStar wireless 2, 3D Navigator and microBIRD
3. Polhemus releases the PATRIOT
4. Microvision Launches Nomad Expert Technician System
5. ASL - Combining Head Tracking with Eye Tracking
6. News, Updates and Patches
7. Shows
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1. SensAble launches PHANTOM Omni Developer Kit

The PHANTOM Omni Developer Kit includes the PHANTOM Omni device-the most cost-effective haptic
device available today-and the new SensAble™ Haptic Device API (HDAPI) software. The HDAPI is the
foundation layer of the SensAble 3D Touch™ SDK and enables haptic programmers to render forces
directly, offers control over configuring the runtime behavior of the drivers, and provides convenient utility
features and debugging aids. The HDAPI software includes source code examples to speed implementation
As part of the kit, developers receive Basic Developer HDAPI software support that includes access to the
SensAble online Developer Support Center and forum. One year of hardware maintenance for the
PHANTOM Omni device is alsoincluded in the kit.

2. Ascension releases MotionStar wireless 2, 3D Navigator and microBIRD

2.1 MotionStar wireless 2:

Ascension Technology has released an improved version of the MotionStar Wireless tracker. With Ascension’s
new Advanced DC Tracking Technology, MotionStar Wireless 2 now produces greatly improved dynamic
accuracy. Animators will find MotionStar outputs are almost jitter free - minimizing the need to post process data.
MotionStar Wireless 2 captures the motions of up to five individuals in real time without occlusion or perceptible lag.
No other tracker in the world captures as many performers’ motions in real time. MotionStar Wireless 2 lets users
jump, spin, kick and interact with total freedom of movement -- free of trailing cables.
It also delivers the most data per sensor of all motion-capture trackers. Each sensor measures a full six
degrees-of-freedom (X, Y, Z, Yaw, Pitch, Roll) solution. In a 13-sensor system, this equates to 78 dedicated data
points instantly streaming onto the performer’s character for fully articulated and smooth tracking of each data point.
For MotionStar Wireless 2, Ascension developed new backpack electronics and improved algorithms. This results
in improved vertical motion accuracy as a performer moves towards and away from the system’s magnetic field
generator. It also eliminates small jumps in data when a sensor is rotated about its axis. Upgrade kits are available
for all existing MotionStar Wireless trackers in the field.
As an added feature to help animators produce hassle-free motion capture sessions, MotionStar Wireless 2 now
comes with free use of Ascension’s Environmental Analyzer. This tool lets animators find sources of metal and
noise in their workspace -- the two biggest factors that previously compromised magnetic motion capture -- and take
steps to eliminate them.

2.2 3D Navigator:

3D Navigator is an ergonomically designed wireless interface between graphical computers and humans. It provides
users with total freedom of movement, unrestrained by the hindrance of trailing cables. 3D Navigator features Ascension’s
new Advanced Wireless DC Magnetic Technology™ as well as complete portability and no line-of-sight interference.
It enables high performance 6 degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) tracking for accurate real-time interactive pointing and navigating.
Unprecedented measurement stability is accompanied by metal detection and noise reduction tools that ensure
environmental factors do not affect tracking.

2.3 microBIRD:

microBIRD measures the six degrees-of-freedom location (position and orientation) of an instrument within the human body.
Mounted on the instrument tip, the microBIRD’s 1.8mm miniaturized sensor, with advanced imaging modalities, lets the
surgeon “see” inside the patient. With no occlusion or line-of-sight restrictions and no distortion due to nearby conductive
metals, microBIRD is the ideal 3D localizer for the targeting and guidance of instruments in minimally invasive surgery and
procedures.

3. Polhemus releases the PATRIOT

Polhemus announced PATRIOT, a quantum leap in new technology and state of the art Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
electronics. PATRIOT has the speed of 60 Hz per sensor, ease of use via an intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI), and
improved signal-to-noise ratios which increase stability and resolution while providing consistent high quality data. In addition,
the size of the electronics unit is only 6.75 inches L x 6.25 inches W x 1.75 inches H.
PATRIOT tracks objects through the liberal use of advanced DSPs that also provide cleaner signals and higher stability, and
comes standard with both a serial I/O RS-232 and a high speed USB interface, at no extra cost.

Polhemus now provides Linux users with the ability to operate Polhemus LIBERTY and PATRIOT systems with full
compatibility using a USB connection. Developed by a third party and released as open source, the USB connection utilizes
a firmware loader and the Linux USB kernel module that communicates with the Liberty. By utilizing programs that come
with the standard Linux distribution and modifying a few files, a user will have full USB communications with the Liberty.
The ease-of-use, ability to connect high performance peripherals, and the bandwidth that USB offers in combination with
Linux make LIBERTY and PATRIOT the most universal motion tracking systems available.

4. Microvision Launches Nomad Expert Technician System

The Nomad Expert Technician System is the world's first "connect and work," wireless, head-up, wearable computer, and
is specifically designed to be familiar, intuitive and easy to operate.
Weighing only 4.5 ounces, the Nomad head-worn Display Module delivers high contrast, high-resolution (SVGA) transparent
images that can be overlaid on the user's vision. Users can choose from two comfortable headgear options: A version mounted
under the brim of a baseball cap or integrated into a stylish contemporary headband. The Nomad Expert Technician System
includes a fully integrated wireless (802.11b) Windows CE.Net "thin client" computer, so that it can be easily connected to an
existing computer terminal or remote server to access e.g. web-based service content via the included Internet Explorer browser.
The user controls input and navigation through a handy touch pad and keypad on the belt-mounted Nomad Control Module.

5. ASL - Combining Head Tracking with Eye Tracking

The combination of head tracking and eye tracking provides fundamental benefits to a broad range of applications ranging from
monitoring baby eye gaze and studying cognitive behavior to aiming weapon systems and matching simulator scenes with eye
direction. For example, when ASL integrates its Model 504 Pan/Tilt remote optics system with an Ascension miniBIRD magnetic
tracker, the subject’s head can move freely while eye fixation is monitored in real time. ASL software uses head tracked
orientation data to control the pan/tilt of the remote camera for automatic reacquisition. This is essential to allow the subject’s
head to move freely while always tracking the eyes. With tracked position data, the combined system also makes a significant
real time fore and aft correction in the point-of-gaze calculation. This is critical for accurately measuring eye position in the
presence of head movement.

ASL’s EYEHEAD integration with Ascension’s trackers provides a number of unique features not available elsewhere. In addition
to showing where the subject is looking on multiple surfaces in 3D space, the Windows-based system instantly identifies and
records up to 20 eye targets, distances, X-Y coordinates, and pupil diameter for real-time monitoring and analysis. In short, an
evaluator always knows where this subject is looking.

6. News, Updates and Patches

SensAble Technologies, Inc. announced that version 7.0 of the FreeForm Modeling Plus software is available for purchase.
This new version of SensAble’s 3D touch-enabled FreeForm Modeling Plus software is for modelers who design for manufacture
and helps speed the overall product development process. The version 7.0 software will include integrated moldable part and
mold insert design; enhanced upstream/downstream interoperability; integrated photo-realistic rendering; and additional
modeling and analysis tools.

The version 7.0 software will also give users an additional starting point for modeling-the import of 3D IGES files. Users will
have the capability to bring solid models into the FreeForm Modeling Plus system and use them as reference pieces, or as
a ‘buck’, or to convert the entire solid model to clay. This functionality will allow modelers to leverage existing CAD models,
such as a mechanical part, and quickly add a complex, free-form shape around that part.

7. Shows

During the next 3 months you can visit us at the following shows:

ITEC 2004
Europe's Only Annual Dedicated Conference and Exhibition for Defence Training, Education and Simulation
April 20-22, 2004
ExCeL, London, UK
http://www.itec.co.uk

During that Show you will be able to see the following Hard- and Software:
Ascension laserBird, ASL Model 501, CMLabs Vortex, InterSense IS900, NVIS nVisor SX, Polhemus Liberty, Reachin API,
Saab AddVisor 150, SEOS HMD120/40, Sense8 WorldToolKit, SensAble Phantom Desktop, WorldViz Vizard and other.

FMX/04
animation/effects/realtime/content
6. bis 9. Mai 2004
Stuttgart, Haus der Wirtschaft
http://www.fmx.de

During that Show you will be able to see the following Hard- and Software:
Ascension MotionStar wireless, Kaydara MoCap, SensAble FreeForm Concept and other.

EuroHaptics 2004
5th - 7th June 2004: EuroHaptics 2004 Conference
The EuroHaptics 2004 conference will be held at Technical University of Munich, Germany
http://www.lsr.ei.tum.de/eurohaptics2004

Our latest product overview can be downloaded at http://www.est-kl.com/est_vr.pdf.