Automation Tooling Systems Acquires Robot Technology

CAMBRIDGE, Onatario, Nov. 18 -- Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (ATS) announced it has acquired a perpetual technology license from, and a small equity stake in, Innovative Robotics Systems Inc. (IRSI) -- a privately held, California-based specialty robot supplier, primarily to the semiconductor industry.

The license allows ATS to manufacture and modify IRSI's IR800 series robotics technology and integrate it in its automated solutions. The IR800 robot was originally developed for use in ultraclean environments, such as semiconductor wafer handling. ATS said it is also suited for use in equipment front-end modules and that it will enhance the robot technology to develop new automation applications in the health care, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. ATS said these are emerging markets for industrial automation that require specialty robots capable of operating in sterile and other "barriered" environments.

ATS has also acquired a 3 percent equity stake in IRSI and has been granted the exclusive manufacturing and supply contract for IRSI's IR800 robot family.

ATS said it will pay $1 million over the next year for the license and equity stake, including $400,000 for prepaid royalties against future ATS sales of IR800 series robots. Royalties will accrue on each robot that ATS integrates into an ATS automated solution based on the technology.

For more information, visit: www.atsautomation.com