SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 28, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices, today announced at its annual shareholders' meeting a revolutionary new tactical system called the TASER(tm) AXON(tm) (Autonomous eXtended On-Officer Network). The new AXON will be unveiled at TASER's annual user conference on June 20, 2008.
The AXON is a tactical audio-video recording and networking device designed to be worn by first responders such as law enforcement officers, soldiers, and private security. AXON integrates audio-video recording capability with tactical communications. The state of the art audio-video earpiece with imager, speaker, and microphone integrates into the communication loop between existing radios and the communications headset, recording video of critical incidents from the visual perspective of the officer.
The AXON system will provide greatly enhanced capabilities in four key areas:
Evidence: The AXON provides an audio-video record of an incident
from the visual perspective of the officer involved. Because the
AXON is designed for full-time recording, actions leading up to
the incident are captured. This is a major step forward over
conventional technologies that record from vehicles or fixed
locations that may not record key events depending on whether they
occur within the fixed field of view. Further, the perspective of
the video shows events from the visual angle experienced by the
officer wearing the AXON system.
Communication: The AXON provides 2-way audio communications
between the audio-video earpiece and the officer's standard radio.
By integrating the video imager into the communications earpiece,
the AXON provides officer-perspective video without adding
additional hardware to the officer.
TACOM(tm) Tactical Networking: The AXON CPU integrates TACOM
(TASER Communication), a close-range wireless communication
capability designed to integrate command and control of future
TASER devices that are TACOM compatible, such as the TASER(r)
Shockwave(tm) area denial system.
Reporting: The AXON system is designed to significantly improve
officer efficiency by facilitating more accurate, more efficient
incident reporting.
TASER International has partnered with industry leaders on the creation of the AXON system. For the physical product design, TASER International partnered with ATOMdesign, an industry leader in product design and engineering. We have partnered with one of the world's largest contract manufacturing firms, which is overseeing design for manufacture as well as providing turn-key manufacturing of the AXON hardware. MontaVista(tm) Software, the company that invented embedded Linux commercialization in 1999 and has remained the leading company in the category, is developing the embedded software to run the entire AXON system. These strategic partnerships will bring state-of-the-art technology to our customers while minimizing development risk across this groundbreaking project.
"Our mission to 'Protect Life' through the use of TASER technology is expanding to 'Protect Truth' through cutting edge technology for digital evidence management," said Rick Smith, CEO and Founder of TASER International, Inc. "The TASER AXON will be the command and control center for an integrated network of TASER ECDs and compatible devices. In 1999, TASER International introduced the first law enforcement weapon system with data recording and computer interface features in the ADVANCED TASER M26(tm), and enhanced these capabilities with the TASER X26(tm) in 2003. Additionally, since the introduction of the TASER CAM(tm) in 2006, over 20,000 devices have been deployed, making TASER International the global leader in on-officer video recording systems. With AXON, we are now integrating all our technologies together into a synergistic network that will provide law enforcement with revolutionary new capabilities," concluded Smith.
AXON units are expected to begin commercial shipments in early 2009, and system prices are expected to start at under $1,000.
Visit www.TASER.com/AXON for more information and periodic updates.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International's products protect life. TASER provides advanced Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) for use in the law enforcement, medical, military, corrections, professional security, and personal protection 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. For more information 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.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2931
About MontaVista Software
The leader in embedded Linux commercialization MontaVista Software invented embedded Linux commercialization in 1999 to give device designers a platform to deliver the best possible product in the shortest possible time. Since then, due to growth and innovation MontaVista has remained the leading company in this category. MontaVista helps embedded developers get the most from open source by providing commercial-grade quality, integration, hardware enablement, expert support, and the resources of the MontaVista development community. Because MontaVista customers enjoy faster time to market, more competitive device functionality, and lower total cost, more devices have been deployed with MontaVista than with any other Linux. MontaVista Linux powers tens of millions of products used around the world every day. Visit http://www.mvista.com/ for more information.
About ATOMdesign
ATOMdesign is a pioneering, full service product design and development firm specializing in the commercialization of emerging technologies. Like its customers, ATOMdesign is at the forefront of discovery and aspires to be the champions of tomorrow's breakthrough technologies. An empowering new economic model and customized development teams composed of experienced international designers and engineers, allow corporations to attain broader product centric services while establishing a solid foundation for their products. Innovative customers possess the potential to disrupt entire market segments by harnessing ATOMdesign's expertise in harvesting ideas, establishing a clear vision, developing business strategies and delivering inspiring yet practical design solutions that resonate within the marketplace. For more information, visit www.ATOMdesign.net.
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.