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Monday, August 20, 2012

#MEMS: "Gyroscopes Crack Power Tool Market"

Invensense has cracked the PowerTool market with the world's first motion activated screwdriver. The Black & Decker screwdriver uses Invensense's MEMS gyroscope to sense the user turning their wrist to the right or left thus switching the direction of rotation of the screwdriver bit. A single axis gyro is perfect for this application, since you don't want to sense rotation ing the other two planes--just when you rotate the shaft of the screwdriver: R. Colin Johnson



Here is what Black and Decker say about their gyro-enabled screwdriver: Black & Decker® (NYSE: SWK) brings innovation to the screw driving category once again with the introduction of the GYROTM 4V MAX* Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G), the world’s first motion-activated screwdriver that controls variable speed and direction. The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control while screwdriving compared to rechargeable screwdrivers on the market.

Black & Decker continues to set the pace of innovation with the patent pending GYROTM screwdriver featuring gyroscopic technology — an industry-first for a screwdriver. With gyroscopic technology, users need only to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse. With traditional rechargeable screwdrivers users are typically required to engage a switch for a direction change and are not offered variable speed.

“We’re taking a technology people are familiar with using in motion-sensing video games, smart phones, and even toy helicopters and using it in a new and innovative way to create a unique power tool,” said Matt Nestorick, product manager for consumer power tools at Black & Decker. “The new GYROTM screwdriver harnesses the latest technologies to provide consumers with a unique DIY experience.”

The 4V MAX* Lithium Rechargeable Screwdriver joins Black & Decker’s expanding lineup of Lithium products, including the existing range of drill/drivers and Black & Decker’s extensive Lithium outdoor lineup featuring a string trimmer/edger, hedge trimmer, sweeper, cultivator, pole pruning saw, pole hedge trimmer, chain saw and powered lopper. With lithium ion battery technology, the GYROTM screwdriver holds a charge up to 18 months. With this and other Black & Decker lithium ion products, users receive long-lasting, lightweight and compact products that won’t experience battery memory effect problems.

The Black & Decker 4V MAX* GYROTM Lithium Rechargeable Screwdriver will be available October 2012 for $39.97 at most major retailers. The GYROTM screwdriver features an LED light and comes with two standard screwdriving bits, jack plug charger and a two-year warranty.

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