Industry Pledges Strong Support for Lab

Pulse Data International, Christchurch-based manufacturer and exporter of products for the blind and visually impaired has joined six other prominent companies in expressing its support for a cutting-edge virtual reality lab.

Pulse Data International, world renowned as a leader in its field, signed up as member of the Human Interface Technology Laboratory New Zealand's (HIT Lab NZ) Virtual Worlds Consortium last week.

Pulse Data International Development Manager Dr Robin Williams says his company is extremely enthusiastic about establishing a relationship with the HIT Lab NZ.

"We are impressed by the dedication, enthusiasm, and achievements of their team and we believe this is a strategically important alliance. They (HIT Lab NZ) have a range of research directly relevant to our field that can really enhance our information access products and benefit people who are blind or vision impaired."

Dr Williams says the benefits of joining the consortium are huge for his company.

"It will enable us (Pulse Data International) to develop working relationships with other leading technology corporations and gain access to proprietary technologies that could enhance and complement our existing product range. The consortium also gives Pulse Data access to a range of expertise available for reviewing, benchmarking and short-term collaborative research projects."

HIT Lab NZ director Dr Mark Billinghurst says Pulse Data's membership in the Virtual Worlds Consortium provides an ideal partnership for the HIT Lab NZ.

"It's fantastic to have such a forward-thinking and innovative company like Pulse Data join our consortium. This relationship gives us (HIT Lab NZ) a new avenue for providing project-based learning experiences for students while also improving the utility and performance of Pulse Data's products. We are excited about collaborating with them and look forward to a most productive future together."

The Lab has been in operation since April 2002 and now has seven companies in its consortium.

The other six member-companies are: Trimble Navigation NZ Ltd, Effusion Group, Jade Software Corporation Ltd, Mobile Surgical Services, Virtual Spectator and Applied Research Associates New Zealand (ARANZ).

The HIT Lab's Virtual Worlds Consortium provides the lab with an entrepreneurial and industrial flavour and plays an integral role in helping to support and guide the Lab's research and development. The Lab collaborates with its consortium members on projects and helps formulates strategic partnerships between its members and academia.

Links:
HIT Lab NZ www.hitlabnz.org

For further information please contact Greg Thompson, Marketing and Business Development Manager, Pulse Data International on (03) 353 2895 or via email gregt@pulsedata.com