Dassault Systemes Welcomes Leading Haptics Developer Immersion Corporation as CAA V5 Software Partner.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PARIS & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 2003

Immersion's VirtualHand Software Enables Users to "Feel" CATIA V5 3D

Digital Models

Dassault Systemes (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) and Immersion Corporation (Nasdaq: IMMR), today announced the signing of an agreement under which Immersion will develop a new hand-interaction software suite based on the CAA V5 (Component Application Architecture) development platform. The suite, VirtualHand(R) for V5, will enable CATIA(R) and ENOVIA(TM) DMU V5 users to manipulate and feel a 3D digital mockup (DMU) in a natural way using their hands.

For the first time ever, V5 users will experience realistic force feedback with their entire hand while touching or grasping a 3D digital part. This innovative way of physically interacting with a digital mockup allows designers to more intuitively and cost-effectively evaluate the ergonomics of an automobile, an aircraft and other complex industrial machinery. In addition, VirtualHand for V5 enables users to simulate assembly and disassembly operations to facilitate quick, efficient engineering and process decisions. Since VirtualHand for V5 permits more realistic evaluation of digital mockups, the number of necessary physical mockups can be reduced, saving manufacturers considerable development time and expense.

The VirtualHand for V5 suite will initially comprise two products:

-- VirtualHand for Design enables designers throughout the enterprise to manipulate 3D models wearing an Immersion CyberGlove(R) instrumented glove. Users wearing a CyberTouch(TM) glove additionally feel tactile feedback.

-- VirtualHand for DMU, together with Immersion's CyberForce(R) system, enhances the V5 immersive environment by providing advanced capabilities such as whole-hand and arm force feedback for project reviews.

"Immersion's leadership in haptic feedback combined with the openness of the CAA V5 platform will bring state-of-the-art haptic technology to CATIA/ENOVIA DMU V5 users, enhancing designer efficiency and improving product quality," said Victor Viegas, Immersion's President and CEO. "A V5 user can be immersed in a digital mockup of their automobile design, feel the layout of the controls, run their fingers across the dashboard and literally 'hang their physical hand' on a graphical steering wheel."

"The combination of advanced capabilities of CATIA/ENOVIA DMU V5 solutions and the innovative haptic feedback provided by Immersion's CAA V5 Based products will revolutionize the way our customers interact with their digital mockups," said Severin Lanfranchi, Director R&D CATIA Simulation, Dassault Systemes. "These intuitive interactions will bring high productivity gains to customers, as they will be able to manipulate and experience their products during the design stage before building an expensive physical mockup."

Dassault Systemes is the premier global 3D PLM solutions provider. 3D PLM enables customers to optimize their business Processes for Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance & Support, using Collaborative Workspaces to share a common product, process and resource model (PPR). With PPR, companies can capture, share and reuse Knowledge all along the product life cycle. The open CAA V5 (Component Application Architecture) allows extension and integration of this solution within multiple enterprise environments.

About the CAA V5 Software Community Program

CAA V5 (Component Application Architecture) is Dassault Systemes' open middleware and development environment for 3D PLM. The CAA V5 Software Community Program is dedicated to ISV (Independent Software Vendors) willing to develop, sell and support CAA V5-based applications, fully integrated with CATIA, ENOVIA and DELMIA V5. This collaboration results in the expansion of Dassault Systemes' 3D PLM solutions to cover the entire product lifecycle range, thus enabling mutual customers to take advantage of a larger set of products in response to their specific industrial needs. Spatial is the primary channel for marketing, sales and support/services for CAA V5.

Information about CAA V5 is available at http://www.caav5.com.

About Immersion

Founded in 1993, Immersion Corp. is a recognized leader in developing, licensing and marketing haptic technology and products. Bringing value to markets to enhance user interaction, safety, or productivity, Immersion helps its partners develop and increase competitive advantage and broaden market reach by making the use of touch sense feedback as critical a user experience as sight and sound. Immersion's technology is deployed across personal computing, entertainment, medical training, automotive and three-dimensional simulation markets. Immersion and its wholly owned subsidiaries hold over 180 issued patents worldwide. Immersion, VirtualHand, CyberGlove, CyberTouch and CyberForce are trademarks of Immersion Corporation.

For more information, see http://www.immersion.com.

About Dassault Systemes

As world leader in three-dimensional product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions, the Dassault Systemes group brings value to more than 55,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systemes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire life cycle of products from conception to retirement. Its offering includes integrated PLM solutions for product development (CATIA, ENOVIA, DELMIA, SMARTEAM), general-use 3D solutions (SolidWorks), and 3D components (SPATIAL). Dassault Systemes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. Information about Dassault Systemes is available at http://www.3ds.com.

Statements made in this media alert other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements concerning customer adoption of VirtualHand for V5. Forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on current information, which we have assessed but which by its nature is dynamic and subject to rapid and even abrupt changes. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding Immersion's strategic development and position within the haptic economy. Immersion's actual results might differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties associated with Immersion's business which include, but are not limited to, delay in or failure to achieve commercial demand for Immersion's touch-enabled technology products or a delay in or failure to achieve the acceptance of touch sense feedback as a critical user experience.

Risks and uncertainties related to Immersion's business in addition to those described above are further outlined in Immersion's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors may not constitute all of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Immersion is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this media alert.

Immersion is a trademark of Immersion Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.