Launch of DSS version 3.0

RNS Number : 3366W

Seeing Machines Limited

30 January 2012

 



Seeing Machines Limited

("Seeing Machines" or the "Company")

Launch of DSS Version 3.0

Seeing Machines Limited (AIM:SEE), a leading developer of facial image processing software for applications that rely on understanding the movement of human faces and eyes, announces the launch of the latest version of its Driver State System (DSS) product. This is in conjunction with the establishment of its Fatigue Consulting Services offering, also announced today.

The Company has today launched DSS Version 3.0, further building on the success of the existing DSS product, which has become the accepted standard in the area of fatigue detection and management for mine vehicle operators. The hardware platform of DSS Version 3.0 is considerably more ruggedised than previous versions and has been developed based on results from extensive testing and field trials conducted in partnership with global mining companies during the past year.

The new product is designed specifically to meet the demands of harsh environments such as mining and Seeing Machines believes any prior issues relating to hardware reliability have been overcome. These issues, caused by the extremely unforgiving conditions under which the DSS products operate, had resulted in additional costs to the DSS business resulting from extended trial-periods and roll-outs. The new version addresses these issues and the Company expects to experience an expansion in roll-outs within existing customer operations and faster uptake of the product from the growing pipeline of potential customers.

In conjunction with the availability of the new hardware Seeing Machines has also ramped up its DSS service offering such that it now includes 24/7 support, onsite inventory and more comprehensive SLAs. The Company has also introduced new service offerings supported by its DSSi platform (the integrated data analysis and reporting component of the DSS product suite) that integrates state of the art fatigue management tools, reporting and services directly into the customer's existing business processes.

Ken Kroeger, CEO of Seeing Machines commented: "DSS Version 3 is a major step forward in the development of our DSS solution, which effectively eliminates the issues that had formerly slowed our progress. The timing of the product launch could not be better with increasing interest in our DSS offering from the mining community and a number of potential fleet-wide roll outs in the pipeline. This product will allow us to move forward in confidence, focusing our efforts on exploiting these new opportunities rather than reacting to existing issues."

Enquiries:

Seeing Machines Limited	Ken Kroeger, Managing Director & CEO	[phone]
Daniel Stewart & Company plc	David Hart/James Thomas	[phone]
Walbrook PR Ltd	Bob Huxford Helen Westaway	[phone] [phone] or [e-mail] [phone] or [e-mail]

--- Information for Editors ---

About the DSS

The DSS is an active safety system that non-intrusively monitors drivers for signs of distraction and fatigue, providing alerting, reporting and escalation capabilities. The DSS comprises a suite of components that work in concert to deliver integrated management and reporting on fatigue and distraction events across an organization. When such events are detected, the DSS suite provides a series of interventions aimed at managing these events and averting accidents caused by operator error. The DSS Suite combines three layers of risk mitigation:

1.    Instant in-cab feedback to the driver from the DSS-IVS (in vehicle system);

2.    Real-time alerts to fleet dispatchers via the DSS-Relay products;  and

3.    Management reporting, driver feedback & training, utilizing the DSSi product.

The DSS-IVS sensors monitor the driver's face and eyes, looking for signs of both fatigue and distraction. If the system detects eyes that are turned away from the task at hand, or closed for long enough to become dangerous, the DSS-IVS categorizes these events and issues instant alerts, including: :

·     Audible alerts;and

·     Tactile feedback via seat vibration.

These in-vehicle measures intervene to alert the driver to the dangerous situation, and serve as prompts to re-establish safe operation of the vehicle.

The DSS product suite can also push notification of these alerts to dispatchers and controllers located in central control rooms by taking advantage of the organization's existing communications infrastructure. DSS-Relay allows alerts generated by the DSS-IVS to be instantly forwarded back-to-base, allowing appropriate interventions defined by the Fatigue Management Plan (FMP) relevant to the specific organisation. Such real-time interventions can include:

·     Contacting/communicating directly with the driver,

·     Rotating or resting drivers; and

·     Altering work schedules, etc.

Finally, the DSSi product ties the other components together with integrated data analysis, reporting and decision support systems that provides fleet managers with new tools for managing vehicles and drivers effectively. Coupled with an effective Fatigue Management Plan (FMP) the DSS suite allows organizations to take active steps to manage driver fatigue and distraction in their operations, and mitigate risks at all levels in the process.

General information about the DSS is available from: www.seeingmachines.com/product/dss/.

About Seeing Machines Limited

Seeing Machines is a leading developer of a leading developer of facial image processing software for applications that rely on understanding the movement of human faces and eyes, specializing in automotive, medical, entertainment and research applications.  More information is available from our web site: www.seeingmachines.com.

 

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