Microvision and Saab Announce Acceleration of Commercial Development Program
SEATTLE, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Microvision, Inc., developer of the Virtual Retinal Display(TM) (VRD(TM)), today announced it has entered into an agreement to extend and broaden the commercial development program with Saab AB, in collaboration with Ericsson Saab Avionics AB, to develop the next generation high-resolution, helmet-mounted display technology for use in advanced aircraft display systems. The joint effort will test and evaluate the VRD-technology's safety and durability to the severe environmental specifications of the military cockpit. This is a key step towards commercial production.
Rick Rutkowski, President and CEO of Microvision, said, "This next phase is an important step in the production development of the VRD for use in operational aircraft. Our first demonstration system to Saab and Ericsson Saab Avionics was delivered just four months ago. We are pleased with how quickly our technology has moved into the next testing phase, which is aimed at validating the technology for use in advanced fighter aircraft."
Microvision also announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Agreement providing Saab AB and Ericsson Saab Avionics AB with access to VRD technology for future use in other, commercial non-military, applications.
Micael Johansson, General Manager of the Display and Reconnaissance Systems Division at Ericsson Saab Avionics, said, "We have been very impressed with Microvision's VRD technology as well as their engineering support during our initial evaluation phase. To date, the technology has met all of our expectations, receiving very high marks from our clients. As a result, we feel very confident that we can move quickly to test and validate the technology for use as the next generation pilot vehicle interface."
SOURCE Microvision, Inc. -0- 03/17/98 /NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information of Microvision via fax, at no cost, dial 1-800-PRO-INFO, ticker symbol MVIS./ /CONTACT: Richard F. Rutkowski, CEO, Richard A. Raisig, CFO, or Matt Nichols, Vice President of Marketing, 206-623-7055, all of Microvision; or Hannah Bruce, general information, or Sue Dooley, analyst contact, 415-986-1591, both of FRB San Francisco/ /Web site: mvis.com |