MTI Micro & Trident Technology Solutions Enter Into Joint Teaming Agreement
MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (MTI Micro), developer of the Mobion® micro fuel cell technology and a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Inc., and Trident Systems, Inc. (Trident), described as a leader in the development of unattended ground sensors, announced that they are teaming to pursue opportunities to leverage MTI Micro’s consumer market platform into low-power military markets. Teaming opportunities include demonstrations of unattended ground sensor prototypes powered by Mobion®, and evaluations and potential submissions of proposals for military programs. Financial and other details of the agreement were not disclosed.
According to the companies, unattended sensors are power hungry devices often situated in remote strategic locations where changing batteries may not be ideal. MTI Micro will work with Trident to determine and evaluate the use and integration of Mobion® technology into Trident’s line of unattended ground sensors to create a unique product offering – a long-lasting unattended ground sensor product.
It is claimed that Mobion® technology powered sensors could offer the military longer device use time, uninterrupted intelligence data, less dangerous missions, and lower costs due to less frequent battery replacements. "The small form-factor MTI Micro’s Mobion® micro fuel cell, initially designed for handheld consumer devices, is an emerging high-density power supply that can further extends mission time for our unattended ground sensors," said Walter Pullar, Vice President for Networks & Sensors Division at Trident. "We are looking forward to working with MTI Micro, a leading micro fuel cell company."
"Trident’s knowledge and experience in the development and commercialization of unattended ground sensors, makes them a valuable partner for MTI Micro," said Peng Lim, CEO of MTI. "MTI Micro is committed to leveraging its consumer program to a selected number of sensor applications in the military market, and we consider the opportunity to provide next-generation power sources for such applications to be a great fit for our Mobion® technology."
This additional agreement with an OEM for low-power products follows MTI Micro’s continuing collaboration covering cell phone and cell phone accessories with its Korean Partner and an agreement with DaeHong, its Korean representative. In addition, within the next 12 months, MTI Micro states that it will continue to develop partnerships and processes to start manufacturing readiness, assess partnering opportunities with several other OEMs, and expects to begin shipping products in the consumer market in 2009.
