InterTrak, Televoke, and Aeris.net to Demonstrate Innovative ``LifeTrak'' Telematics Safety Service on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON--July 18, 2001--InterTrak Tracking Services, L.L.C., an emergent telematics equipment and service provider today announced it will demonstrate its innovative "LifeTrak" telematics safety service before members of the U.S. Congress. "LifeTrak" is one of the select wireless safety technologies that will be featured at the ComCARE Alliance Technology Demonstration in Washington D.C. on July 19, 2001. The event is co-sponsored by the co-chairs of the Congressional Wireless Caucus and is entitled "Making America Safer: the 2001 Wireless Safety Technology Demonstration". InterTrak Tracking Services has partnered with Televoke, Inc. and Aeris.net's MicroBurst(R) cellular network to deliver the "LifeTrak" system which provides unprecedented safety at an affordable price by using wireless data technology to automatically notify call centers and family members in the event of a traffic accident.
The "LifeTrak" demonstration will simulate the sequence of events in a real life emergency as a model car crashes into a wall and triggers a series of notification messages to emergency call centers and designated family members. At the Call Center Station, attendees can follow the event on the Call Center screen (with audio prompts) of a public safety agency. Simultaneously, at the Consumer Station, attendees will experience the automated phone calls, e-mails, and pager alerts notifying designated family members of the crash event and the location of the vehicle. The demonstration will run from 10am to 4pm in the first floor foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill.
InterTrak, Aeris, and Televoke, are members of the ComCARE Alliance whose goal is to promote a comprehensive "end-to-end communications system" to enhance public safety and improve emergency response. The demonstration is an opportunity to create awareness for members of Congress, their staff, and the media of safety services that are available today. The demonstration also highlights the opportunity for even further improvement with development of common procedures and standards between telematics service providers and public safety agencies. According to Marsha Scherr, Executive Director of the ComCARE Alliance, "we welcome the innovative automated approach that these companies bring to delivering safety and security services to the current automotive market". Edward Muldowney, President of InterTrak adds, "We believe the LifeTrak system will help save lives by automatically providing notification to call centers and family members. Moreover, we are providing affordable "aftermarket" product and service to a potential of 200 million vehicles that are already built and on the road today."
How does it all Work?
An InterTrak AEGIS(TM) hardware device, containing a GPS receiver and cellular radio, is installed in the model car and attached to a multi-stage crash sensor. In full size vehicles, the system is also connected to the car alarm, door locks, and engine starter to support other functions.
When the model car crashes against the wall, the impact sensor automatically sends an alarm message over the Aeris MicroBurst network to the Televoke Network Operations Center (NOC). The Televoke NOC immediately sends out automated crash notifications and street-level location data to the call centers and to family members specified by the user as emergency contacts. Upon receipt of a crash notification, the InterTrak call center will wirelessly verify that the car is no longer in motion, and an operator will immediately call the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with detailed information on event, location, vehicle, and driver profiles.
As an added benefit, the same system enables InterTrak to notify customers of other non-emergency vehicle-based events such as service warnings, stolen vehicle alarms, excessive speed, or low battery. Users can connect into the automated system via telephone or web to track their vehicle, or perform functions such as unlocking car doors or starting the engine in a hot or cold climate.
"LifeTrak" services are made possible by an innovative partnership of three companies: InterTrak, Televoke, and Aeris. InterTrak Inc., of Frisco, Texas, provides the AEGIS(TM) hardware, installation, and "LifeTrak" services. Televoke Inc., of San Francisco, provides the InterTrak branded automated data and voice services to both family members and call centers via the Televoke Network Operations Center. Aeris.net, of San Jose, provides affordable wireless connectivity throughout the United States over cellular networks using its patented MicroBurst(R) technology.
About InterTrak
InterTrak L.L.C. has offices in Frisco, Texas and Chicago, Illinois whose employees have accumulated 20 years of vehicle security and tracking experience. InterTrak now markets the most cost efficient vehicle location products and service in North America. Coupling the combined industry talents of its corporate staff InterTrak is well positioned to take advantage of the burgeoning Telematics market. Combining the communications power of the Internet, Global Positioning System and the personal touch of human operators, InterTrak promises to be the bright star on the vehicle location horizon. For additional information InterTrak AEGIS(TM) and "LifeTrak" products and services call 1-866-FINDME1 (346-3631) or visit us www.trackmenow.com.
About Televoke
Televoke "connects people to things" by providing an automated web and telephony service platform that enables individuals and enterprises to track and control valuable assets (e.g., vehicle or computer). For the first time ever, businesses and their customers can be proactively notified via phone, pager or email when a valuable fixed or mobile asset is at risk. The Televoke service platform can be customized and branded for any partner, and integrated with virtually any enterprise system, hardware device, GPS or other location technology, wireless or wire line network. For more information on Televoke, visit www.televoke.com or send an email to info@televoke.com.
About Aeris.net
Aeris.net, headquartered in San Jose, CA, provides wireless web connectivity and control for a broad array of short-packet signaling and messaging services using its proprietary MicroBurst(R) utility. MicroBurst technology employs the control channel infrastructure of the cellular network as a transmission medium to achieve low cost of service and ubiquitous coverage. Aeris.net currently has contracts deploying MicroBurst technology in cellular service areas in 98 percent of the United States and all of Mexico and Canada. Initial applications include vehicle position and condition reporting, security and equipment monitoring and utility meter reading. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.aeris.net or call 888-Go-Aeris.
About The ComCARE Alliance
The ComCARE Alliance is a broad-based national coalition comprised of public and private organizations working together to encourage the deployment of lifesaving wireless communications networks and technologies that will connect America's mobile public to emergency agencies. A non-profit coalition, ComCARE consists of over seventy organizations representing physicians and nurses, the wireless industry, auto safety groups, telematics service providers, and public safety groups. For more information, contact the ComCARE Alliance at info@comcare.org or 202/429-0574.