McMurdo chooses u-blox’ GPS solution for Personal Location Beacon for emergency use

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McMurdo selects u-blox’ GPS solution for Personal Location Beacon for emergency use Thalwil, Switzerland – May 26, 2009 – u-blox, a leading provider of GPS and GSM technology, is pleased to announce that McMurdo, a leading provider of emergency location beacons, has chosen u-blox as its supplier of embedded GPS receivers for its newest “FAST FIND” personal location beacon. The FAST FIND 210, based on u-blox’ LEA-5A GPS receiver module, is the most compact and versatile emergency location beacon available on the market today. The device benefits from u-blox’ built in 50-channel GPS positioning engine to transmit a highly accurate location via the global COSPAS SARSAT 406MHz search and rescue satellite communication system. This enables professional rescue services to greatly reduce their search time and users can set off in the most remote locations, on land, at sea or in the air, and be confident of being able to alert rescue services directly if encountering life threatening situations. “We are extremely pleased with the quality and performance of u-blox’ LEA-5A GPS receiver module featuring SuperSense® which functions accurately and reliably in the most challenging environments. Our FAST FIND 210 ensures that users call for help are located with in a few minutes regardless of weather or geographical conditions,” said Jeremy Harrison, Sales & Marketing Director of McMurdo. ”The FAST FIND 210 together with u-blox’ leading GPS technology offers users the best possible security device, particularly if an emergency occurs in a remote location where there is no mobile phone coverage,” said Karsten Tietz, VP Sales EMEA. “We are proud that McMurdo has chosen u-blox for this revolutionary life saving product and look forward to working with them in the future.” The potential life saver, weighing 150 g and with dimensions of 34 x 47 x 106 mm, was successfully launched in February 2009 and has already been approved for sales in Europe and the US by federal standards. About u-blox u-blox is a leading fabless semiconductor provider of embedded positioning and wireless communication solutions for the consumer, industrial and automotive markets. Our solutions enable people, devices, vehicles and machines to locate their exact position and wirelessly communicate via voice, text or video. With a broad portfolio of GPS modules, cards, chips, and software solutions together with wireless modules and solutions, u-blox is uniquely positioned to enable OEMs to develop innovative solutions quickly and cost-effectively. Headquartered in Switzerland and with global presence in Europe, Asia and the Americas, u-blox employs 180 people. Founded in 1997, u-blox is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information, please visit: www.u-blox.com About McMurdo Established in 1937, McMurdo leads the way in the development and manufacture of emergency location beacons and NAVTEX technology. McMurdo further galvanised its position as the leader in safety equipment technology in 1992 with the release of the first GMDSS approved Search And Rescue Transponder (SART). Since that date we have continually led the way in the functionality and accuracy of emergency location beacons launching a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) for use on land, sea or air in 2000. Also in that year GPS technology was introduced to both the EPIRB and the PLB. McMurdo products are used around the world, on land, sea and in the air, where safety is important you will find McMurdo. www.mcmurdo.co.uk Contact persons Jean-Pierre Wyss, Chief Financial Officer Phone: +41 (44) 722 74 20, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Thomas Seiler, Chief Executive Officer Phone: +41 (44) 722 74 22, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Karsten Tietz, VP Sales EMEA Phone: +41 (44) 722 74 30, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it