[June 09, 2008]

Nortel: Nortel Wireless Network Liberates Robots at Ashikaga Institute of Technology Wireless Mesh Carries Video and Data To and From Mobile Robots

(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge)
RDATE:09062008

TOKYO, JAPAN - Robotics researchers at the Ashikaga Institute of
Technology (AIT) have dramatically increased the range and capabilities
of their robots after installing a high-speed, campus-wide wireless
network using a wireless mesh solution from Nortel* [NYSE/TSX: NT].

The network enables researchers in AIT's robotics engineering faculty
to equip robots with cameras and high-speed wireless capabilities that
relay rich multimedia information such as high-quality video, data and
other communications while on the move. This makes them invaluable for
applications such as disaster rescue, in which workers can use the
robot's camera to view areas not stable for rescuers to enter in a
partially collapsed building, allowing them to view images of trapped
survivors. Robots currently used for such purposes are typically
tethered with an awkward cable that restricts movement and often
becomes entangled on obstructions.

To support transmission of real-time high-quality video and data, AIT
researchers chose a Nortel wireless mesh solution to provide high-speed
connectivity for the robots anywhere on the AIT campus. A robot running
a machine vision application could be instructed to travel around the
campus to find a specific object - for example, a lost set of keys, a
car with a specific license plate, or a building with a particular
shape - and then use the wireless network to relay real-time video of
the object back to researchers.

"Now that the mechanics of robots are well understood, we are focusing
our attention on the innovative applications that become possible when
video and other forms of continuous communication are added to the
mix," said Dr. Takahiko Tsujisawa of AIT. "Nortel's wireless mesh
solution has delivered a campus-wide network that has enabled our
students to explore innovative applications for robots that can
communicate anywhere they travel.

"AIT's innovative robotics research reinforces that Hyperconnectivity
will see not just computers and mobile phones connected to the network
but totally new kinds of devices supporting novel
communications-enabled applications," said Toshiyuki Hiramatsu,
president, Nortel Japan. "Around 10 billion microprocessors were sold
in 2007 alone, ending up in everything from computers to coffee
machines and applications like AIT's robots. These devices, and the
applications they enable, demand 'true broadband' capabilities that let
users simply assume that high-speed connectivity is always available -
and Nortel's wireless mesh solution is just one of the ways we're
committed to making this possible."

The AIT wireless network is built around the Nortel Wireless Gateway
7250, an enterprise-class router that securely manages mobility within

wireless mesh networks, and the Nortel Wireless Access Point 7220,
which offers 802.11b/g connectivity and utilizes auto-discovery and
self-routing technology to link access points into extensive wireless
mesh networks.

About Ashikaga Institute of Technology (AIT)

Ashikaga Institute of Technology (AIT) has a more than a 40-year
history of delivering technical education aligned with the spirit of
"wa" (harmony), advocated by Prince Shotoku (574-622) and now the
school motto. AIT believes this spirit, intended to bring harmony to
people and society, will become increasingly important particularly in
the fields of industry and technology. For more information, visit AIT
on the Web at www.ashitech.ac.jp**.

About Nortel

Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities
that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our
customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider
and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical
applications. Nortel's technologies are designed to help eliminate
today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying
networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they
need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the
world.

CONTACT: Sachi Murakami, Nortel
Tel: +81 3 5740 1749
e-mail: smurakam@nortel.com
WWW: hyyp://www.nortel.com

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