Road Rescue Introduces SPD-Smart(TM) Technology for Ambulance Windows

Electrically Controlled Window-Tint Technology is an Industry First

INDIANAPOLIS, April 3 -- Continuing its product development leadership, ambulance maker Road Rescue, Inc. today introduced new "smart glass" technology to control tint levels in ambulance windows. The innovation, a first in the ambulance industry, is designed to provide enhanced working conditions inside the ambulance and offer additional patient privacy. The feature was unveiled today at the 2003 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis.

The St. Paul, Minn.-based ambulance maker, a wholly owned subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. , is working with licensees of Research Frontiers Incorporated to bring SPD-Smart(TM) technology to the emergency rescue market for the first time.

"We welcome this additional capability to Road Rescue ambulances," said Chuck Drake, president of Road Rescue. "We're constantly searching for leading-edge technology that can be transferred to the emergency-rescue market to make the rescue worker's job easier and more effective. SPD-Smart Glass is one of these innovations, and we believe it will be another key differentiator as cities and townships look to upgrade their rescue vehicles."

SPD-Smart windows will allow ambulance crews to instantly and precisely control the shading of vehicle glass manually or automatically. Road Rescue's rear-door and side-patient compartment windows will be outfitted with the technology, increasing privacy inside the ambulance, helping control and block out excess heat from outside, and reducing glare so rescue workers can better focus on patients.

"We are confident that SPD-Smart windows will enhance the value of Road Rescue vehicles and will benefit both rescue workers and patients," said Joe Harary, president of Research Frontiers. "We look forward to seeing Road Rescue and our licensees work together to apply this innovation to the emergency rescue industry."

Road Rescue said the SPD-Smart window technology will be available on Road Rescue ambulances beginning in May, 2003. SPD-Smart technology is currently used in a variety of applications in the marine and aircraft markets, as well as in vehicles, residential and commercial buildings, and consumer products such as flat panel computer screens, mobile phones and sunglasses. Additional information on Road Rescue is available at www.roadrescue.com . Additional information on SPD Smart Technology products is available at www.SmartGlass.com .

About Road Rescue and Spartan Motors

Established in 1976, St. Paul, Minn.-based Road Rescue, Inc. (www.roadrescue.com ) designs and manufactures custom modular ambulances and specialty vehicles. Road Rescue, which is owned by Spartan Motors, Inc., produces 8 ambulance models, has 18 dealers in the United States and Canada, and employs more than 150 people at its facilities in Minnesota and South Carolina.

Spartan Motors designs, engineers and manufactures custom chassis and vehicles for the recreational vehicle, fire truck, ambulance and emergency-rescue markets. The company's brand names -- Spartan(R), Crimson Fire(R) and Road Rescue(R) -- are known in their market niches for quality, innovation, value and service. Spartan Motors employs more than 750 at facilities in Michigan, South Dakota, Alabama, Minnesota and South Carolina and is publicly traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market.

About SPD Technology and Research Frontiers Incorporated

Research Frontiers Incorporated (RFI) develops and licenses suspended particle device (SPD) technology used in SPD-Smart(TM) light-control glass and plastic products. SPD technology is covered by approximately 365 patents and patent applications held by RFI worldwide. Additional information about RFI and its licensees can be found at www.SmartGlass.com .

NOTE TO EDITORS: See Road Rescue products at FDIC in Booth #2417.