MAXxess Systems Announces Partner Agreement With Fire Sentry for Video-Based Smoke Detection Module.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2002

MAXxess Systems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Odetics Inc. (Nasdaq:ODETA) (Nasdaq:ODETB), announced that it had signed a partner agreement with Fire Sentry Corp. to integrate Fire Sentry's video-based smoke detector into the MAXxess' environmental security system.

The smoke detector can operate indoors or outdoors, day or night. It can differentiate between smoke and haze or dust. For indoor applications, the smoke detection module detects smoke more rapidly at an earlier stage than conventional detectors.

For large indoor areas or high ceiling applications, the module allows for visual zoning of the area being viewed. The video based module is the only broad-area, outdoor smoke detector ever developed.

The detectors operate over most existing, installed CCTV cameras. They can also be incorporated into infrared cameras for nighttime use. With a set of cameras, the detector module can provide a 360-degree field of view.

"We are pleased to form this partnership with Fire Sentry," said Wes Appleby, president of MAXxess Systems. "The smoke detection module will be a key part of our environmental security system. Frequently, smoke is present before a fire actually breaks out. It is important for us to detect problems as early as possible so that our customers can effectively respond to the threat."

"The smoke detectors are already being used at the British Parliament; Heysham Nuclear Power Generation Station; UK Paper, paper mill; Nissan Automotive; London Underground; and Off Shore Oil Platforms," continued Appleby. "We see a rich set of applications, especially in hazardous, explosive or radioactive areas."

The smoke detector will be seamlessly integrated into the MAXxess environmental system. When smoke is detected, a "smoke detection" alarm is automatically displayed on the MAXxess workstation at the customer's security control room along with the corresponding video display of the area where the smoke was detected.

Although the device is only being sold for asset protection, the automated response also alerts the operator to release or secure doors in order to evacuate areas, isolate areas and aid emergency response teams.

Deryk Walker, vice president of sales and marketing at Fire Sentry, observed: "This is an important and exciting strategic partnership for us. MAXxess offers Fire Sentry another route to market and will satisfy customers' requirements for a 'one stop' shopping solution."

Earlier this month, MAXxess announced a partner relationship with Draeger, the world's largest provider of toxic chemical and combustible gas detectors. Draeger is an 8,500-employee firm located in Luebeck, Germany. MAXxess and Draeger will be introducing a new line of small, portable detectors for the first time in the United States. These detectors can sense:

-- Precursors such as Phosgene

-- Explosives including DNT and TNT

-- Chemical warfare agents including Soman, Sarin, Tabun, VX, Mustard,
N-Mustard, Lewisite and HCN

"By partnering with Fire Sentry and Draeger, we are able to offer our customers important, new detection capabilities," said Appleby. "To our knowledge, we are the only company offering a truly integrated environmental security solution."

About MAXxess

MAXxess specializes in the design and manufacture of high-level security electronic access control and security management systems. The company provides flexible security systems for a wide variety of facilities.

MAXxess is a pioneer in developing the new wide area Ambit Security(TM) Systems. The company also pioneered the use of 128-bit encryption for commercial access control applications. For more information, contact MAXxess at 800/842-0221 or go to the MAXxess Web site at www.maxxess-systems.com.

About Odetics

Odetics provides products and systems that employ information technology to control the use of public roadways, secure ingress and egress of public and private facilities, and secure the delivery of digital communications. Odetics has headquarters in Anaheim and may be contacted at 714/774-5000 or Odetics and the Web sites of each of its subsidiaries at www.odetics.com.

About Fire Sentry

Fire Sentry is the technology leader in the development and manufacture of Electro-Optical Fire Detectors, which are used extensively in the oil, gas and petrochemical; semiconductor; automotive; electrostatic coatings; and general manufacturing industries. Recently, visual smoke detection has been added to the product range.

For more information, contact Fire Sentry at 714/671-1100 or go to the Fire Sentry Web site at www.firesentry.com.

Important Notice

This news release contains statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking. These forward-looking statements may include statements about revenue growth, profit margins, the effect of cost reduction measures, and other statements relating to the operating results of Odetics or its subsidiaries. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors such as: short product lives, technological shifts, current technical issues that cannot be resolved on a timely basis, component availability, competition (including new and directly competitive products from others), pricing pressures, incorrect assumptions regarding market demand, the significant uncertainty of market acceptance of new products by both distributors and end-user customers, unanticipated capital requirements, retention of key personnel, general economic conditions, the inability of the company to execute its strategy including the completion of both private and public equity financings of its subsidiaries and other factors identified in Odetics' Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Investors are strongly encouraged to review the risk factors set forth in Odetics' most recent SEC filings.