Eleksen Launches Elasticated Wireless Joystick For Mobile Gaming

Eleksen | London, 6th January 2004 - Eleksen today announces the launch of its new Bluetooth joystick aimed at improving the fun and flexibility of playing games on mobile devices. The joystick will be on display on Eleksen's stand at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, 6th - 9th January 2005. The all-new flexible joystick is based on Eleksen's groundbreaking 'bend sensor'. Woven from conductive elastic, the bend sensor measures the degree and direction of flex in 360 degrees making it ideal for controlling games action on mobile phones and laptops.

The Eleksen joystick fills a gap in the mobile gaming peripherals market for devices that improve the user interface/playability and usability of games on small mobile devices like phones and notebook PCs. Phone keypads are still primarily designed for making calls and can prove frustrating to use for game playing. Existing controllers are rigid, and lack the pliable nature of Eleksen's joystick, which is incredibly tactile and greatly improves the gaming experience.

Being wireless, the joystick offers players even greater flexibility and is compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth enabled devices. In addition to its utility as a games peripheral, the joystick can also be used to control mouse action on bluetooth enabled PCs to allow remote control of PowerPoint slideshows on laptops. The joystick design supports several versions, which permit additional finger sensor controls to allow greater control functionality.

"The only limit to the use of Eleksen's technology is your imagination", Nigel Gilhespy, Eleksen's Chief Technology Officer explains. "This product has been developed from customer feedback on the need for more innovative gaming peripherals hardware to accelerate the sales of mobile games capable devices. The joystick is licensable today for manufacturers eager to take advantage of the growth of the mobile gaming hardware market."

Robin Shephard, CEO, Eleksen adds: "The Bend sensor is yet another example of the many possible applications for our technology and clearly illustrates how it is enabling a revolution in product design. Our technology is poised to make a real impact in the mobile phone industry where form and factor are becoming major differentiators."

The mobile gaming market is currently worth nearly $2bn worldwide[1][1]. Strategy Analytics estimates that the business will grow to $8bn in revenues by 2009, due to the increasing sophistication of mobile phones and game content. In such competitive conditions Eleksen's Bluetooth joystick is a great way for mobile gaming operators to differentiate their services.

Notes to Editor:

Eleksen's bend sensor is a completely new use for smart fabric technology, which is traditionally used in flat applications. The bend sensor takes fabric technology into a new dimension by measuring the strain placed upon the fabric. Woven from conductive elastic, the bend sensor can measure the degree to which it has been bent and/or extended (see diagram below).

This technology lends itself perfectly to applications requiring actions, such as pulling, bending, pushing and twisting. The Bluetooth joystick is an example of the way it has been successfully applied to the mobile gaming market, but it also offers exciting new possibilities for other consumer electronic industries.

-Ends-

For more information on Eleksen please contact:

Dan Alder or Kate Lawson

Fuse PR

0208 956 2653/2713

[email protected]/[email protected]

About Eleksen

Eleksen Ltd. is the world leader in smart fabrics. Eleksen enables innovative product development by researching, developing and licensing soft sensing and switching technology. The company's core technology, ElekTex^TM, is based around a unique sensing fabric. Elektex^TM opens the door to a whole new range of 'soft' products as both sensor and interconnectivity are fabric and eliminate the need for external hard components. Eleksen has established a strong customer base for its solutions in its six core markets: transport, healthcare, toys & games, consumer electronics, furniture and wearables. Eleksen develops and licenses its technology. It also has capabilities to do prototyping or production. The company is backed by an impressive list of investors: 3i, MTI, MVI, Siemens Venture Capital, Vesta Capital Partners and Wireless Frontiers. Eleksen expects the company will quadruple its revenues in the coming year.

Eleksen's headquarters are based in Pinewood Studios near London.