SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 9, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices, today unveiled their new product lines at the opening day of the annual TASER Tactical Conference in Chicago, Illinois. TASER revealed their latest innovation for military use, the TASER(r) Shockwave(tm), a command activated area denial system consisting of a modular 6-shot TASER electronic control device (ECD) that covers a 22-degree arc with 25-ft XP TASER Cartridges.
"This past year, TASER International formed a Senior Executive Advisory Board (SEAB), comprised of leading military and federal agency experts to provide guidance on how to adapt our technology for military and homeland security application," said Rick Smith, CEO and co-founder of TASER International. "The TASER Shockwave addresses the need for enhanced area denial and force protection at checkpoints where life-and-death decisions must be made instantaneously."
Addressing an audience of several hundred law enforcement and military officers, Smith explained that when activated, Shockwave units saturate an area with TASER Neuro Muscular Incapacitation (NMI), providing the first area-target system capable of not only denying personnel but also incapacitating persons utilizing reversible non-lethal effects by delivering five seconds of NMI, much like the current TASER X26 electronic control device.
"Shockwave is designed to be a fully modular system, allowing the end user complete flexibility to deploy as needed to achieve the desired objective," said Smith. "Units can be stacked side by side, vertically, or can be 'daisy-chained' together in limitless combinations to allow an optimized response for every deployment. Shockwave units can also be mounted on vehicles to provide enhanced force protection during military operations in urban environments."
TASER also introduced the company's revolutionary eXtended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP) with wireless NMI technology designed to be launched from a 12-gauge shotgun. Weighing less than half an ounce, the XREP is the world's first wireless electronic control device. The company revealed several revolutionary technologies embedded in the XREP, including:
1. The XREP Engine: an electronic payload that delivers NMI from a
package that weighs less than 2.5 grams
2. Torsion Spring Fins: A radical new flight stability technology
that uses spring deployed fins to spin stabilize a projectile fired
from a smooth bore shotgun
3. Recoil Electrode Deployment: A new technique to spread a secondary
electrode contact on target by redirecting energy from the impact
of the projectile to launch a secondary electrode away from the
subject on a tether, which re-engages at a separate body location
4. Reflex Engagement Electrodes: A method which utilizes the reflexes
of the target to attach secondary electrodes which separate from
the initial point of impact for enhanced NMI effects; and
5. Intelligent Electrode Selection: A new technique wherein an
on-board microprocessor inside the XREP monitors to detect
connections between different electrodes and automatically
redirects NMI discharges to the optimal electrode set.
TASER's collaboration with iRobot Corp (Nasdaq:IRBT), aimed at developing a new robotic capability utilizing TASER technologies on iRobot(r) platforms, was also highlighted at the Tactical Conference. The strategic alliance with iRobot Corp. will allow the two companies to work collaboratively to integrate TASER(r) NMI technology into the iRobot PackBot(r) Explorer(tm) and other future robotic platforms.
"We have come a long way over the past couple of years," explained Tom Smith, Chairman and TASER International co-founder. "This is an exciting time for the company and we look forward and remain dedicated to creating technologies that provide personal and national security that ultimately protect life."
Photos and video of Shockwave activated area denial system, TASER XREP and the iRobot collaboration are available at www.TASER.com.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International provides advanced electronic control devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. TASER technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers and suspects. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
The TASER International logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2931
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements, without limitation, regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding TASER International. These estimates and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. These statements are qualified by important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: (1) market acceptance of our products; (2) our ability to establish and expand direct and indirect distribution channels; (3) our ability to attract and retain the endorsement of key opinion-leaders in the law enforcement community; (4) the level of product technology and price competition for our products; (5) the degree and rate of growth of the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products; (6) risks associated with rapid technological change and new product introductions; (7) competition; (8) litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product related injuries and death; (9) media publicity concerning allegations of deaths and injuries occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative effect this publicity could have on our sales; (10) TASER device tests and reports; (11) product quality; (12) implementation of manufacturing automation; (13) potential fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; (14) financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers; (15) order delays; (16) dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers; (17) negative reports concerning the TASER device; (18) fluctuations in component pricing; (19) government regulations and inquiries; (20) dependence upon key employees and our ability to retain employees; (21) execution and implementation risks of new technology; (22) ramping manufacturing production to meet demand; (23) medical and safety studies; (24) field test results; and (25) other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, those factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Form 10-Qs.
The statements made herein are independent statements of TASER International. The inclusion of any third parties does not represent an endorsement of any TASER International products or services by any such third parties.