Press and News - 17.07.2006

H.A.B.I.T. Research Ltd. Releases Latest GPS Wildlife Tracking Technology using u-blox GPS Module

Victoria B.C., and Thalwil, Switzerland -- July 17, 2006 -- A technology partnership between H.A.B.I.T. Research Limited, a Victoria based company that designs, develops and manufactures technology for wildlife research, and Swiss positioning technology provider u-blox, will soon make it possible for scientists to study the behavior of endangered species once thought too tiny to be tracked by GPS, raising the hope that many smaller species may be saved from extinction.

H.A.B.I.T. Research Limited is launching a third generation of their revolutionary animal tracking product which is just 1/10th the size of its predecessor, weighing 35 grams or more. This breakthrough has been made possible by a new GPS module from u-blox. The LEA-4H GPS module manages to cram ultra-high sensitivity technology and low power needs into one of the smallest GPS devices on the market today.

The LEA-4H is powered by u-blox' ANTARIS 4 positioning engine, which offers incredible tracking accuracy because it uses twice as many satellites as its predecessor to pinpoint locations while W.A.A.S. support improves tracking accuracy from 20 meters to just five. The module's SuperSense® weak signal tracking technology allows researchers to track animals in the most difficult terrain such as canyons and dense brush.

"This new technology, a partnership between Swiss precision engineering and Canadian innovation, should allow researchers to develop a better understanding of a range of small and endangered animals and the role they play in the wider eco-system," said Dr. Jeffrey Goodyear, President & Founder of H.A.B.I.T. Research Limited. "That could provide critical insights into the future conservation of natural habitats and species of all sizes."

"H.A.B.I.T.'s new generation of wildlife tracking products makes the best out of our LEA-4H GPS module: Its small size means the scope of animals that can now be tracked has been significantly widened, while its combination of low power needs and high sensitivity means animals can be tracked for longer without interruption, even in difficult signal environments," said Nikolaos Papadopoulos, President of u-blox America.

The new H.A.B.I.T. GPS technology is also available in combinations with real-time VHF data telemetry and satellite PTT technology. Power supply options include battery or solar cell with packaging in collar and backpack configurations. This product is designed to weigh a little as 35g and can be used on mammals, both terrestrial and marine, reptiles, birds and amphibians.

About u-blox

u-blox is an international company headquartered in Switzerland, with sales organizations in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1997, u-blox develops leading positioning technology, products and services based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) for the automotive and mobile communications markets. For more information, please visit www.u-blox.com.

About H.A.B.I.T. Research Ltd.

H.A.B.I.T. Research Ltd. is a leading provider of telemetry equipment, using VHF, GPS and satellite communications for the wildlife market. The company also provides locating technology for people with Alzheimer's & Autism who wander or become lost. For more information on H.A.B.I.T Research, visit www.habitresearch.com.

u-blox Contacts

Alicia Montoya, Marketing Communications
phone: +41 (44) 722 74 86, e-mail: alicia.montoya@u-blox.com

H.A.B.I.T. Contacts

Jim McIntosh, CEO, H.A.B.I.T. Research Limited
phone: +1 (250) 381-9425, email: jmcintosh@habitresearch.com

Further Information

Press Releases 2006

Press Release (PDF Format)

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