ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan 10, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- MAXxess Systems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Odetics Inc. (Nasdaq:ODETA) (Nasdaq:ODETB), announced that it had signed a partner cooperation agreement with Draeger Safety Inc., a subsidiary of Draeger Inc.

The partnership cooperation agreement covers the integration of Draeger's chemical detection products into MAXxess' environmental security systems.

Draeger is the world's leading manufacturer of toxic chemical and combustible gas detectors. Draeger 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

MAXxess will be able to integrate multiple detector stations and be capable of detecting more than 1,000 chemical compounds and combustible gases.

Earlier this month MAXxess announced a new class of environmental security systems that extend well beyond the current, conventional access control systems. These new systems have been designed to meet today's heightened security concerns and have been designated as level 4 security systems.

Unlike traditional access control systems that were developed to ensure that only authorized employees could enter designated areas, the new MAXxess systems have been designed to:

--  Detect threats such as explosives or chemical warfare agents

--  Expand the boundaries of security beyond the facility itself

--  Harden the security system to eliminate hacking or spoofing

"The integration of new technologies is required to address the new concerns of our customers," said Wes Appleby, president of MAXxess Systems.

"A year ago their most serious concern was theft or industrial espionage. Today, they have broadened that concern to include terrorist activities. The integration of the Draeger products allows our customer to detect the most toxic chemicals and combustible gases throughout their facilities, with integration to centralized alarming, monitoring and reporting."

The Draeger sensor stations are small, portable and mobile. The detectors can continuously sample multiple remote locations. When a toxic chemical is detected, a "detected threat" alarm is automatically displayed at the customer's security control room along with the corresponding video display of the area where the threat was detected.

The automated response also alerts the operator to open or close doors in order to evacuate areas, isolate areas and aid emergency response teams.

"We are pleased to be working with MAXxess," said Malcolm Watmough, director of sales and marketing for Draeger Safety. "Their environmental security systems address the requirements that are necessary to meet the reality of today's security needs."

    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 Draeger

Known in Germany as Draegerwerk, AG, Draeger is a group of companies servicing the safety, medical, aerospace, diving and computer information systems markets. With headquarters in Luebeck, Germany, Draegerwerk employs more than 8,500 people worldwide and has production, sales and distribution facilities located in more than 100 countries.

    About Draeger Safety

Draeger Safety is the largest of Draegerwerk's subsidiaries worldwide concentrating in the areas of gas detection, respiratory protection, diving and service. Draeger Safety maintains satellite sales offices in Houston; Durango, Colo.; Los Angeles; and Mexico City.

    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.

CONTACT: Odetics Inc., Anaheim Gregory Miner, 714/774-5000 http://www.odetics.com