TALON Family of Robots Introduces Two-Way Hailer Technology

WALTHAM, Mass., June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- QinetiQ North America, makers of the
leading TALON(R) family of military/first-responder robots, announced today
that it has created a two-way hailer capability for its robots that makes them
more effective in a variety of scenarios because it enables the robot operator
to "listen" and "speak" with high fidelity and volume control. Initial
systems have been delivered to the SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) teams of
police departments in Texas and Florida.

Developed by QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group, the enhanced
hailer provides secure encrypted two-way wireless audio communications between
a TALON robot and an operator up to 2,600 feet (800 meters) line-of-sight
away. Two-way conversations can be conducted at four volume levels from
whisper mode to loud. The 120-decibel siren can be used to warn, distract, or
disrupt voice communications. The two-way hailer is easy to install on a
TALON and can be quickly transferred from one TALON to another.

"We feel our new, two-way hailer will be particularly useful for military
checkpoints, building clearance, barricaded suspects, hostage negotiations and
emergency evacuations, in short any situation where there's a need for urgent,
two-way communication that might need to be whispered or shouted," said Dr.
William Ribich, President of QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions
Group.

The TALON two-way hailer is controlled via a portable, wearable control unit
that is completely separate from the robot control unit. It can be attached
to a utility belt or vest using its Molle straps. The clip-on two-way handset
broadcasts and receives audio to and from the TALON. The hailer's hand-held
controller adjusts the handset and broadcast volume levels as well as
activates the siren and auxiliary input. The auxiliary input can be connected
to an MP3 player or laptop computer for playback of recorded messages or loud
music.

TALON Two-Way Hailer at a Glance
-- Volume adjustable two-way communications
-- Police/Fire siren included
-- Easy to install and remove
-- Operates independently of the TALON operator control unit
-- Continuous remote listening when not broadcasting
-- Secure encrypted digital communication prevents third-party
intervention
-- Auxiliary audio input for MP3 player or laptop

Since TALON's initial deployment in 2000, the QinetiQ North America family of
robots has expanded to include small, medium and large unmanned vehicles that
can be configured for specific tasks, such as IED defeat, CBRNE/hazmat
identification, reconnaissance, combat engineering support and SWAT/MP unit
assistance. Today, more than 2,500 TALON robots are deployed around the
world, surpassing any other military robot.

About QinetiQ North America
QinetiQ North America delivers world-class technology and responsive solutions
to government agencies and commercial customers for many of their most urgent
and complex challenges. QinetiQ North America is an independent, innovative
technology provider that earns over one billion dollars in revenue operating
with small company speed and agility while leveraging significant global
resources. More than 6,400 QinetiQ North America engineers, scientists and
other professionals have the mission knowledge and proven, reliable
performance to meet the rapidly changing demands of national defense, homeland
security and information assurance customers. For more information, please
visit www.QinetiQ-NA.com.

About QinetiQ North America Technology Solutions Group
QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group, headquartered in Waltham,
MA, includes the businesses formerly known as Foster-Miller, Inc., Planning
Systems Incorporated, Automatika, Applied Perception, Spectro, Inc., and the
research and development activities of Apogen Technologies, Inc. It is an
800-member technology and product development group with an international
reputation for delivering innovative products and systems that perform under
the most demanding conditions.

SOURCE QinetiQ North America

Cindy Black, Technology Solutions Group, +1-781-684-4093,
cblack@foster-miller.com, or Matt Warnock, +1-703-752-6528, +1-703-853-5511,
Matthew.Warnock@QinetiQ-NA.com, both of QinetiQ North America