San Francisco, May 29, 2002 - BEI Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: BEIQ) announced today that its patented NCAPS ( Non-Contacting Angular Position Sensor ) was selected for the Best of Sensors Expo award at the Spring Exhibition held in San Jose on May 21-23, 2002. The sensor won the Silver award for the category: Sensors. The editors of Sensors Magazine, the leading publication in the sensors industry for over 18 years, recognize new products that they predict will significantly impact the use of sensing in designs and applications.

"The NCAPS rotary sensor offers a proprietary patented technology to measure absolute position in mechanical systems." explained Dr. Asad Madni, president, chief operating officer and one of the inventors of the technology. "Our customers in the automotive, heavy equipment and industrial markets have asked for position sensors that meet the position measuring performance and cost of contacting sensors while providing longer life through noncontacting technologies. Our NCAPS sensor provides superior reliability and a higher performance position measurement solution as compared to contacting sensors, while addressing the low cost needs of the market," Madni said.

BEI Duncan Electronics Division, an operating division of BEI Technologies, Inc. has taken the invented BEI technology and developed the production model of the NCAPS sensor. The current configuration is ideal for such applications as automotive electronic steering sensing, drive-by-wire sensors for automobiles and heavy equipment, position control in medical instrumentation and position sensors for factory automation.

BEI Technologies, Inc. is an established manufacturer of electronic sensors, motors, actuators and motion control products used for factory and office automation, medical equipment, military, aviation and space systems. In addition, sales to manufacturers of transportation equipment including automobiles, trucks and off-road equipment have become a significant addition to the Company's business in recent years, in particular, sales of the Company's micromachined quartz yaw rate sensors in advanced vehicle stability control systems. BEI also manufactures electronic steering wheel position sensors, seat-memory modules, throttle position and pressure sensors and other devices used in automotive systems.

Except for historical information, this news release may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements with respect to timely development, acceptance and pricing of new products; impact of competitive products and price; the ability to manufacture products in sufficient volume on an efficient and timely basis; general economic conditions as they affect the Company's customers, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Form 10-K for fiscal 2001.

For further information, please contact:
John LaBoskey, Senior Vice President/CFO
BEI Technologies, Inc, 415/965-4477
www.bei-tech.com