NEWS

Wind River Wins Best of Show Award at Electronica USA Embedded Systems Conference

  • Wind River's device software that powers the Mars Exploration Rovers was awarded overall "Best in Show" as well as best aerospace and defense product.
  • Wind River also won the communications award for its device software that powers The Weather Channel's Intellistar.

ALAMEDA, Calif.--April 01, 2004--Wind River Systems (WIND, Trade), the global leader in device software optimization (DSO), today announced that its device software that powers NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Exploration Rovers -- Spirit and Opportunity -- won the overall "Best of Show" award, as well as the best aerospace and defense product. The Weather Channel's Intellistar won "Best of Show" within the communications category. Wind River enabled its customers -- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and The Weather Channel -- to develop and run the software that powers their respective devices faster, better, at a lower cost and more reliably.

"These awards are a great testament to Wind River's ability to continually provide our customers with the software, development tools and services expertise they need to build some of the world's most innovative intelligent, connected devices," said Ken Klein, chairman, president and CEO, Wind River Systems. "Wind River is proud to be taking home these awards today as they are a tribute to our long-standing collaborative relationships with NASA and The Weather Channel."

The Mars Exploration Rovers -- "Spirit" and "Opportunity" -- are NASA's twin robot geologists, which are part of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet. The two Rovers launched toward Mars on June 10 and July 7, 2003, in search of answers about the history of water on Mars and respectively landed on Mars on January 3 and January 24, 2004. Wind River serves as the "brains" of the Rovers, enabling the machines to perform complex, mission-critical tasks, including trajectory, descent and ground operations control, data collection and Mars to Earth communication relay.

The Weather Channel's Intellistar is the next generation, geography-specific TV programming system and device. By relying on Wind River to develop the Thunderstorm PCI card -- the brains of the IntelliStar -- The Weather Channel leveraged Wind River's device software expertise and technology portfolio to architect, develop, deliver and field test the IntelliStar. IntelliStar will be used by TV program distributors nationally, including Cox Communications, Comcast Communications, DirecTV, Charter Cable, and National Cable Television Cooperative.

"Wind River provided us with the device software and services expertise that were required to reach a new level of programming advances that include robust content and sophisticated localization capabilities," said Brian Shield, executive vice president and chief information officer at The Weather Channel. "The IntelliStar provides our customers with immediate enhancements and opens the way for future programming advances and support for new revenue services. We are honored that this innovative technology received kudos at a conference that is so well-known for being on the forefront of technological advancements."

About Wind River
Wind River is the global leader in device software optimization (DSO). Wind River enables companies to develop and run software faster, better, less expensively and more reliably. Wind River Platforms tightly integrate a rich set of market-leading operating systems, development tools and middleware with services to provide a complete foundation that meets the specific requirements of a vertical market. Wind River's products and professional services are used in multiple markets including aerospace and defense, automotive, digital consumer, industrial, and network infrastructure. Companies from around the world turn to Wind River to create the most reliable products and to accelerate their time to market.

Founded in 1981, Wind River is headquartered in Alameda, Calif., with operations worldwide. To learn more, visit Wind River at www.windriver.com or call Wind River at 1-800-872-4977.

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Contact Information
Jessica Miller
Global Corporate Communications