Honorary Fellowship for Pulse Data's Founder

Dr Russell Smith, founder and CEO of Pulse Data International, the Christchurch based company which designs and manufactures innovative products for the blind and visually impaired, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ). IPENZ is the professional body, which represents engineers from all disciplines in New Zealand.

The Honorary Fellowship recognises innovation, excellence and commitment in the engineering profession, and acknowledges those whose work in engineering, science or technology has been distinguished.

Since the first Honorary Fellowship was awarded in 1947, just 19 Fellows have been named by IPENZ. Other well-known recipients of these Fellowships include Sir Angus Tait, Sir Colin Maiden, Sir Edmund Hillary, John Britten and Dr. William Pickering.

Dr. Smith graduated from Canterbury University with a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering in 1972. His doctoral research was in underwater sonar systems. After a period lecturing in Electrical Engineering, Dr Smith joined the Wormald International Group to lead the development of a revolutionary sonar guidance device for blind people. This device, known as the Sonicguide, had been the subject of research in the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Canterbury for more than 10 years. A new company, within the Wormald Group, was formed in 1976, under Dr. Smith's leadership, and this company has pioneered the development of new applications of technology to assist visually impaired people to access information, control computers and travel independently. In 1988, this company was renamed, "Pulse Data International Ltd", following a management buyout led by Dr Smith.
Pulse Data International is recognised internationally as an innovation leader in the field of technology for the blind. Its products include portable computers for the blind, which use synthesized speech or electronic Braille to communicate with the user, and electronic magnifiers to assist people, with low vision, to read. These technologies, coupled with the burgeoning use of electronic information, worldwide, have improved the opportunities of visually impaired people to lead full lives and compete in the job market. The company, today, has annual revenues of over $50million and exports over 95% of its production.

Dr. Smith said, "It is a great privilege to be recognised by IPENZ with the award of the Honorary Fellowship. It is very humbling to be invited to join such an esteemed group of outstanding individuals". He said, "Working in the disability field is both fascinating and challenging, and the possibilities to apply new technologies to provide solutions to access problems are immense. Leading a company, which has grown to be a major international force in the field has been very exciting."

"IPENZ is very proud to award Dr Smith with this Fellowship for his 'Innovation in the Creation of Technological Products'. Dr Smith's engineering leadership and innovation set him apart from other candidates nominated in 2003 and his entrepreneurship has been a fundamental component to Pulse Data International's success to date," said John Gardiner Deputy Chief Executive IPENZ

Dr Smith was presented with his Honorary Fellowship at the IPENZ Annual Awards Dinner in Hamilton on the 31st March.

For further information contact:

Greg Thompson
Business Development Manager,
Pulse Data International Group
Tel: (03) 384 4555
Email gregt@pulsedata.com

Or

John Gardiner
Deputy Chief Executive
IPENZ
Tel: (04) 474 8932
Email: jgardiner@ipenz.org.nz