As part of the deal, QIO Systems gains a worldwide exclusive licence to the intellectual property and design rights for the electronics and textile touchpads of Eleksen and for the manufacture and sale of ElekTex textile touchpads for use in both consumer and commercial applications. In exchange, Peratech will take an equity shareholding in QIO Systems.
QIO Systems will also acquire the rights to Eleksen’s eSystem merchandising programs and will be launching eSystem electronics at retail in time for the Back-to-School ’08 and Fall/Winter’
“This deal sets QIO Systems on the path to success. We’re committed to continuing Eleksen’s tradition of exceptional customer support and innovation in wearable electronics solutions,” remarked John Collins, President and CEO of QIO Systems, “It’s exhilarating to be back with the technology, relationships and customers we know so well.”
“The relationship with QIO is part of Peratech's strategy to move smart textiles from the niche and into the mainstream. Our ElekTex technology, combined with QIO's range of electronics will provide brand holders and consumers with exciting new ways to interact with their personal electronic devices. We have invested in a talented team of former Eleksen managers who were responsible for the development of the extremely successful Eleksen offerings,” commented Chris Lussey, joint CEO of Peratech. “These guys, who were the architects of Eleksen’s wearable products and emerging eSystem strategy, understand better than anyone in the industry how to move the wearable electronics to the mass market. We’re excited about this new partnership.”
The team at QIO Systems is being led by John Collins, CEO of QIO Systems and former VP of Marketing and Business Development at Eleksen, and Vassilis Seferidis, CTO of QIO Systems and former VP Product Management. John and Vassilis were responsible for the initial development of Eleksen’s wearable electronics product lines and the innovation which drove Eleksen to the top of the wearable electronics market. They are being joined at QIO System by several key Eleksen team members.
The company is already accepting orders for delivery of ElekTex products and electronics directly or through its sales and marketing partners.
About Peratech
Peratech is the inventor and world leader in Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) technology. QTC's are electro-active polymeric materials which enable the action of 'touch' to be translated into an electrical reaction, enabling a vast array of devices to incorporate very thin and highly robust 'sensing' of touch and pressure. Already widely used in robotics and defence, Peratech commercialised its QTC technology at the beginning of 2006 and is currently working with a number of key technology clients who are implementing QTC sensing technology within their own products.
QTC materials give enormous flexibility in the design, shape, thickness and style of a switch or pressure sensor and can be made in a range of elastomeric forms, including emulsive coatings (down to thicknesses of 10 microns), ‘bulk’ silicone or rubber and textile forms. Peratech pioneered the creation of electronic switches made from textiles as early as 2001. QTC has been recognised through numerous International awards and accolades including “Tomorrow’
QTC materials have been used by organisations such as NASA, ILC Dover, Shadow Robotics and numerous government agencies World Wide. Peratech also owns SOFTswitch the pioneering creator of textile switching and Eleksen, the world leader in touch sensitive interactive textiles for electronics interface design.
For further information, please contact Peratech Limited, Old Repeater Station, Brompton-on-
For press information, please contact Nigel Robson, Vortex PR, Island House, Forest Road, Forest, Guernsey, GY8 0AB United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0) 1481 233080 Email:
QTC, Eleksen, Elektex® and SOFTswitch are trademarks of Peratech Limited
About QIO Systems™
QIO Systems is the wearable electronics spin-out of market leader Eleksen. QIO designs, develops and manufactures next generation accessory electronics for interactive apparel and soft goods applications supporting the seamless integration of mobile entertainment devices like MP3 players, cell phones, AM/FM/Digital radio, push-to-talk systems in consumers’ everyday lives.
QIO manufactures, sells and markets Eleksen’s ElekTex® textile touchpads under exclusive world-wide license from Peratech Limited for use in wearable electronics applications for consumer apparel, bags and accessories as well as commercial work wear applications supporting integrated electronics controls for entertainment, communications, environmental, safety and bio-monitoring devices.
