Jan 9 2008
V.I.O. Inc., the leading innovator of hands-free video technology, announced today a direct funding collaboration with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) to perform research and development of specialized wearable video technology for military and law enforcement applications.
Part of a multi-year agreement with the ARL, first year funding of $862,000 was awarded to V.I.O. Inc., a developer of wearable video technology based in Marquette, Michigan. Under this agreement, V.I.O., subcontracted with Michigan Technological University, will perform research and development of wearable video capture electronics specialized for military and law enforcement. V.I.O will demonstrate to The Army new R&D refinements on their current video system, the POV.1 to help military and law enforcement succeed in a variety of applications in the future. The funding is part of the Department of Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 and also in the Conference Report passed by the U.S. House of Representatives for fiscal year 2008. "The V.I.O. wearable video technology offers a very unique capability for the warfighter to further increase the ability to see the battlespace," said Dr. Eric Forsythe of the ARL. "The ARL is very pleased to be working with V.I.O. to further advance this important technology."
V.I.O. has received strong support from Michigan House and Senate representatives in support of the ARL agreement. "I am pleased that V.I.O. Incorporated will be playing a role in the development of wearable video technology for our military," stated Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "This technology could aid troops in intelligence gathering, mission debriefing, and training activities. We must continue to leverage the strong contributions of Michigan's small businesses to provide the best tools available to our men and women in uniform."
Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) added, "The groundbreaking video technology being developed by V.I.O. Inc. will help keep our troops safe and also has important applications for law enforcement. I am proud this innovative work is being performed by northern Michigan entrepreneurs and employees."
The current wearable POV.1 platform is a fully integrated, rugged point-of-view (POV) video system that's waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant. The system includes a mountable camera head, microphone, built-in video recorder with LCD screen, wireless remote and PC software for managing and distributing video content. The POV.1 has been in combat use by two infantry divisions of the U.S. Army deployed in Iraq. The POV.1 is also sold in public safety, law enforcement and in commercial and active sports markets.
"Initial production of our POV digital camera in the fall of 2007, was prioritized for orders from several infantry divisions operating in battlefield conditions overseas," said David Ollila, President of V.I.O. "Feedback from soldiers using the system on the ground drives our focus around research and development to design the next generation wearable video camera. Our partnership with the Army Research Laboratory provides critical resources to do this well."
The contract is part of the Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate's (SEDD) research and development of sensors and electron devices. The SEDD conducts innovative research to provide the Army with affordable enabling technology in electro-optic sensors, advanced radio frequency (RF) technologies, autonomous sensing, power & energy, and signature management. SEDD, in collaboration with academic and industry partners, conducts basic and applied research on electro-optic and photonic devices (including active and passive sensing technologies) and transition these technologies in support of reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillance and target acquisition (RISTA); fire control; guidance; fusing; survivability; mobility; and lethality applications.
"We are very pleased to partner with V.I.O. on the Wearable Video Capture System/POV project," said Rick Berkey, Senior Research Engineer and Manager of Project Development at Michigan Tech. Michigan Tech's Enterprise Program continues to provide an effective way to connect industry with bright, energetic, and entrepreneurial students. "V.I.O.'s technology and products align well with several of our faculty's research and expertise in electronics, optics, photonics, and wireless communications," added Berkey. "It presents a challenging and rewarding opportunity for our Integrated Microsystems Enterprise (IME) to help V.I.O. advance its POV product to better meet the demands of military, law enforcement, and consumer markets."
V.I.O. cameras and integrated POV systems are wearable. They are manufactured to be lightweight and to withstand a variety of climate conditions. In addition, their design makes them simple to use. V.I.O. has established the benchmark for durability, video quality and adaptability to multiple uses.