New CyberDisplay-Based System Helmet for Formula One Drivers Provide Critical Information to Driver

    TAUNTON, Mass.--Sept. 30, 2002--Kopin Corp. and the BMW Group today unveiled a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) that will help Formula One drivers race faster, safer and with a definite competitive edge. The HMD is part of an advanced telemetry system approved for installation by the Formula One racing committee and is to be used by BMW.Williams F1 racing team potentially as early as next year to communicate to the driver wirelessly from the heart of the race pit. The HMD system uses a CyberDisplay imaging system supplied by Kopin that enables drivers traveling at speeds exceeding 200 mph to communicate visually with the race crew and monitor all of their critical race data while continuing to focus on the road.
    Kopin teamed with the BMW Technology Office in Silicon Valley, DesignWorks USA which is the BMW Group's design firm in Los Angeles, and Schuberth Helmets in Braunschweig, Germany, to develop and certify the HMD. The Kopin CyberDisplay-based imaging system supports full-motion video and is visible in near-blinding sun. Pit crews control the data and messages their drivers see through a two-way wireless link that also enables the crew to monitor extensive data about the car's performance. Drivers receive information more quickly than by radio, and are not subject to eavesdropping or track noise problems. Because it's mounted just below their line of sight, the display is easier to view than a conventional instrument panel.
    "The BMW and Schuberth names are synonymous with quality, performance and innovation: three characteristics we demonstrate daily in our CyberDisplay viewing systems," said Dr. John C. C. Fan, Kopin's chairman, founder and CEO. "Certifying this high-tech solution for Formula One Racing, combined with the association we've developed with BMW and Schuberth, provides us with potential opportunities in some interesting markets such as automobile and motorcycle systems. We look forward to building on this relationship and identifying additional collaboration opportunities with these technology leaders."
    The principal technology engineer in BMW's Silicon Valley office and manager for this project, Juergen Bruegl, said, "The Formula One HMD system represents a significant advance in racing technology. Kopin's CyberDisplay-based imaging system allowed us to integrate this new capability into a lightweight, aerodynamically designed helmet without compromising safety or performance. In fact, we improved those measures. The quality, durability and performance of the CyberDisplay are superb, and we're eager to explore additional possibilities for the Kopin technology beyond Formula One racing."
    Oliver Schimpf, Schuberth's managing director of research and development, agreed. "The challenge for us was integrating an imaging system into the helmet without sacrificing helmet performance," he said. "It is imperative that the driver can safely communicate with his crew without taking his eyes off the road. Kopin's small, lightweight system was pivotal to solving these problems, and this new head-mounted display system will likely improve overall driver safety."
    BMW.Williams F1 driver Ralf Schumacher confirmed the improved safety. "The HMD was comfortable and easy to use," he said. "I can respond to information presented on the HMD faster than any other instrument in the car. The system is designed to be viewable with my eyes fixed on the track. There is no need to glance inside the cockpit any longer, and this means we can race with even more confidence and safety."

    About BMW

    BMW Technology Office is part of BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) which was established in 1975 as the United States importer of BMW luxury/performance automobiles. It assumed import and distribution responsibilities for BMW motorcycles in 1980. BMW NA's Corporate Headquarters are located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. It also has regional headquarters in Woodcliffe Lake (New Jersey), Atlanta (Georgia), Chicago (Illinois), and Los Angeles (California). The BMW Technology Office in Palo Alto, California works with partners to develop innovative technology for BMW vehicles (BMW AG, Germany).

    About Schuberth Helmets

    Schuberth Helme GmbH was founded in Brunswick (Germany) in 1922. Earlier starting with the manufacturing of helmet components, Schuberth has been making helmets since 1953 and motorcycle helmets since 1956. They provide a wide range of products including military helmets, motorcycle helmets, police and riot control helmets, fire fighter helmets, and high-performance racing helmets such as world-class, carbon fiber Formula-1 models. Schuberth invented the flip-open helmet "concept" in 1978 and has since become the world's most innovative helmet manufacturer. The Schuberth manufacturing process is certified to ISO 9001, AQAP 120 and European standards. Each Schuberth helmet combines maximum protection with optimal wearing comfort.

    About Kopin

    Founded in 1984, Kopin is pioneering the use of the Wafer Engineering Process(TM) in consumer, communications and military technology. The company supplies the world's largest electronics manufacturers and government agencies with breakthrough semiconductor products that enhance the delivery and presentation of voice, video and data. Kopin technology is currently used in one-quarter of the world's cell phones and nearly one-third of the world's camcorders and is the microdisplay standard for the U.S. military. For more information, please visit Kopin's Web site at www.kopin.com. CyberDisplay is a trademark of Kopin Corporation.

    Statements in this news release about Kopin's design win with BMW are made under 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could materially affect future results. Among these risk factors are general economic and business conditions and growth in the flat panel display industry, the impact of competitive products and pricing, availability of third-party components, viability of integrated circuit fabrication facilities, cost and yields associated with production of the Company's CyberDisplay imaging devices, loss of significant customers, acceptance of the Company's products, continuation of strategic relationships, and the other risk factors and cautionary statements listed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001and subsequent Form 10-Q filings.