TI, DSP, and Segway Human Transporter Chosen as Finalists

CMP Media has named Texas Instruments (TI) and the Segway(TM) Human Transporter (HT) as finalists in its 2003 Embedded Systems Conference "Best of Show" award for the most superior embedded technology in an end-user application displayed by an exhibitor. By leveraging its leadership in digital signal processing (DSP), TI is able to help deliver truly innovative products such as Segway's Human Transporter that provide innovation and that meet customer's embedded control requirements.

The Segway HT leverages TI's C2000(TM) DSP platform of controllers because of their small size and peripheral integration, delivering an innovative, first-of-a-kind, self-balancing, personal transportation system that's designed to operate in any pedestrian environment. The balancing system allows users to guide the transporter intuitively both forward and backward just as a person would when walking normally. The Segway HT was designed to make short-distance travel more efficient, while allowing the operator to carry heavier loads at greater distances, enabling greater productivity.

The Segway HT stays upright and balanced because of a technology called dynamic stabilization. Dynamic stabilization uses inputs from solid-state gyroscopes and tilt sensors that are analyzed by the C2000 DSP controller in real time. The DSP controller then makes minute adjustments to two powerful electric motors one hundred times a second allowing Segway HT to instantaneously adjust to rider input and provide a safe and enjoyable ride.

"Since the Segway HT takes up no more space than an average person, space is an issue. The high level of performance and integration that the TI's DSP controllers give us with on board flash, and communication and control peripherals met out strict space requirements," said Phil LeMay, Manager of Embedded Designs, Segway LLC.

Besides offering a high level of performance, each C2000 DSP integrates many functions that are used in the Segway HT system operation. Communication with other data handling devices, a vital function in such a complex system, is achieved through the on-chip bus interfaces and CAN controller. The integrated, on-board analog-to-digital converter (ADC) continually feeds digitized data to the DSP for fast, real-time, system monitoring.

Segway HT's sophisticated monitoring and control system also includes a number of TI high performance analog devices including multiplexers/demultiplexers, hex inverters, rail-to-rail quad operational amplifiers and LinCMOS(TM) voltage comparators. On-board event managers, timers and pulse-width modulation (PWM) provide the versatility needed for the system's complex motor controls and other functions. On-chip memory stores the entire code for operating the system, providing fast response and operation. TI's emulation support using the JTAG interface simplified coded debugging, helped the Segway team develop the complex software more quickly and with maximum reliability. For more information about C2000 DSP Controllers, visit http://www.ti.com/c2000info. Finalists were chosen for new and innovative uses of embedded technology in end products that use technology in a new or innovative way, offer higher levels of performance or that demonstrate a new approach previously not seen in the market.

Winners will be announced at ESC on April 23 at 6.00 pm in booth 238.

About Segway Segway LLC is a Manchester, New Hampshire-based business founded by renowned inventor and entrepreneur Dean Kamen to provide a solution to short- distance travel. The company has created the Segway(TM) Human Transporter (HT), the first self-balancing, electric-powered transporter designed to enhance the productivity of people by increasing the distance they can travel and the amount they can carry. Segway is funded by: Credit Suisse First Boston Private Equity, one of the largest managers of alternative assets in the world, through Credit Suisse First Boston Equity Partners, L.P. and associated funds; Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, the leading venture capital firm helping entrepreneurs build sustainable technology businesses; and individual investors. For additional information about Segway, please visit the Web site at: www.segway.com. Press releases and digital images are available at Segway's online Press Center at: www.segway.com/news.

About the Embedded Systems Conference With more than 11,500 attendees and over 300 exhibitors anticipated in 2003, CMP Media's Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco is: -- The world's largest gathering of technologists, industry leaders, academics, and media focused on embedded systems design and development. -- The premier educational forum for engineers and engineering managers developing leading-edge products that incorporate embedded technology. -- Renown for showcasing the most innovative technological breakthroughs in embedded electronics design

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company's businesses include Sensors & Controls, and Educational & Productivity Solutions. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries. Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at www.ti.com.

Trademarks Segway is a trademark of Segway LLC in the United States and in other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.