NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 30, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:NPDT) and the Institute for Information Industry announced today the signing of a pact to develop and distribute a Military Grade RFID Reader incorporating the world's smallest EPC Global reader module with an industry first unique security protocol technology from Japan. Hitachi executives served as observers and conducted their own closed door signing ceremonies for the integration of this unique industry-first technology.
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The P37M mobile device is constructed with an alloy top cover, Intel R100 Chipset, shock proof corner bumpers for protection against drops, water proof up to three meters and extreme ruggedness features that give it an IP67 rating, making this one of the most advanced RFID readers in the industry. First 10,000 units valued at $18,000,000 are being produced for a major USA telecom with first shipments expected on 4th qtr. 2009.
Said NDT Chairman, Richard Damion, "Through strategic collaboration with III and ITRI, who are most undisputably the most advanced RFID end to end solution Research & Development technology organization in the world, we have developed an advanced Hand Held Reader for the Industrial and supply chain Industry. These Institutes combined employ over 7,000 well experienced engineers of which over 65% possess either a post graduate degree or PhD, providing the greatest talent and experience for this project, In addition we have collaborated with one of Japan's largest conglomerates on a security protocol to produce one of the most advanced RFID Hand Held Readers on the market."
NDT is now positioned to be a global leader in RFID, leading this effort and providing strategic guidance is our new Chief Executive Officer Mr. Gary DeMel. Mr. DeMel is a twenty-eight year veteran of the semiconductor and high-tech industries, and has held several senior management positions within Intel Corp., ATI Inc., and Level One Communications, Inc. in driving their efforts into the worldwide leadership position in wireless, computing, networking, gaming and graphic markets. Mr. DeMel, as Intel's Senior Director of Worldwide Sales and Business Development, created and directed most of Intel's strategic partnerships and was responsible for their most successful investments in leading-edge startups, including driving ATI Technologies, AMD, Tarari Inc., and LSI Logic as their Senior Vice President.
According to market research firm RoA Group, the global demand for mobile RFID is expected to grow to US$701 billion by 2010, with an annual growth rate of 196 percent.
Said III's Project Manager, Elsie Kao, "We are gearing up to produce the first 10,000 for NDT on an order coming in for a Major Telecom. The Hand Held UHF Gen 2 Reader will have unique features such as the latest Microsoft mobile 6.0 Windows Mobile, touch screen TFL QVGA display, WWAN AT&T, 3.5GSM, and PTCRB Certifications. Other features include GPS, WiFi and camera. The reader module was developed by ITRI and it is the world's smallest EPC Global Gen 2 module ever developed and certified by EPC."
Said ITRI's ISTC RFID Manager, Paul Chang, "The Hand Held Reader will be ready for shipment with the latest features within the next three or four months as soon as we complete the AT&T required Certifications. We anticipate that we will ship 80,000 units during a 12-month period for NDT upon completion of the Certification process. We welcome this project and the opportunity to work with NDT and III, a first collaboration on this scale for our organization and expect to continue developing a line of advanced RFID Readers incorporating our patented technologies."
P37M Specifications
802.11b/g WLAN module built in Bluetooth class 2, v1.2 built in Integrated GPS GPRS/3G/3.5G optional AC-97 codec, built-in internal speaker Two USB Type A connectors One USB mini Type B connector Two RS-232 (full) One RJ-45 for Ethernet One CF slot
"ITRI has significant experience in industrial RFID technologies from asset tracking to global container tracking systems," said Paul Chang. "ITRI has managed the first EPC Global Certified Performance and Conformance Laboratories in Asia and has developed a whole range of RFID tags, devices and solutions."
About the Institute for Information Industry:
III is one of the world's leading information technology institutes established in 1979, jointly sponsored by the Taiwan government and prominent private enterprises, for the purpose of strengthening the development of the information industry in Taiwan.
Since its inception, III has been a source of vision, innovation, technological excellence and a major contributor to Taiwan's development into a significant player in the global ICT arena. III has helped promote full utilization of ICT technologies hence advancing the establishment of modern information society in Taiwan. III has approximately 1500 engineers, of which 70% have either a Master's or PhD degree in Engineering Science.
About the Industrial Technology Research Institute:
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) - a national research organization that serves to strengthen the technological competitiveness of Taiwan.
Since our inception, ITRI has had three mission statements: first, to expedite the development of new industrial technology; two, to aid in the process of upgrading industrial technology techniques; and three, to establish future industrial technology. However, in order to face a new economic era and serving as a nation's premier technology research institute, ITRI must transform Taiwan's research capability from a "follower" to a "pioneer" in order to provide major advantage and opportunities for domestic industries. As of today more than 60% of the ITRI's 6,000 employees hold either a Master's degree or PhD in their respective field of studies.
ABOUT NEWPORT DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Newport Digital Technologies, Inc. (www.newportdt.com) is a technology solutions driven company organized to focus on serving five of the fastest-emerging businesses in the technology space -- RFID (radio-frequency identification), WiMax, eLearning, Digital Signage & LED Lighting and Security & Surveillance solutions. NDT develops and delivers these technology solutions through strategic collaborations with global partners, including Taiwan Industry and Taiwan's premier technology R&D incubators -- the Institute for Information Industry (III) www.iii.org.tw/english and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) www.itri.org.tw/eng. Once developed, NDT customizes these technology solutions and markets them through Fortune 1000 channel partners and systems integrators on a worldwide basis.
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