Boston Public School District Using Unique Mobile/Wearable Computers
Monday July 14, 9:09 am ET
Solution Designed by IBM and Xybernaut Deployed in Program to Assist Children With Special Needs
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 2003--IBM (NYSE:IBM - News) and Xybernaut Corporation (NASDAQ:XYBR - News) announced today that Boston Public Schools has received seven unique mobile computers co-developed by IBM and Xybernaut Corporation.
The district's Access Technology Center, located in Madison Park High School, has received seven of these special mobile/wearable computers, which are sold in a variety of industries as well as to educational institutions by Xybernaut under the brand name Mobile Assistant® (MA).
The Mobile Assistant is a versatile computer system - as powerful as a desktop -- that is small enough to go anywhere a student needs to go. The MA V weighs less than two pounds so it fits easily into a backpack or coat pocket. The wearable computer offers a viewing screen that is touch screen activated and all-light readable, making it effective indoors and out. With specialized software for educational environments, especially voice recognition applications and touch-activated icons, the system becomes a highly effective learning tool for children who are autistic, have speech difficulties or face other physical or learning challenges.
"This joint effort by IBM and Xybernaut is a great example of our continuing efforts to help improve the lives of children through the use of beneficial technologies," stated Pat Toole, general manager, IBM Engineering & Technology Services.
Ed Newman, chairman of Xybernaut, said the "wearable computers" have brought improvements in a number of other school districts, including Coventry Local Schools in Ohio and Queen Anne's County Public Schools in Maryland. "These systems have the potential to help certain children be less frustrated when trying to communicate, to improve academically and to be more accepted by their classmates."
IBM's Engineering & Technology Services division co-designed and developed the MA V after completing a license agreement for certain Xybernaut intellectual property. The company has a long history of developing accessibility products and licensing key assistive technologies to other companies in an effort to ensure that everyone can benefit from computing and information resources.
Editors Note:
For detailed technical specifications on the Mobile Assistant V, visit: xybernaut.com
For more information on IBM Engineering & Technology Services, visit: www-1.ibm.com
Digital high-resolution photographs of the XyberKids/Mobile Assistant wearable computer are available by contacting Michael Binko via e-mail at mbinko@xybernaut.com or Cary Ziter via e-mail at cziter@us.ibm.com.
About Xybernaut
Xybernaut Corporation is the leading provider of wearable/mobile computing hardware, software and services, bringing communications and full-function computing power in a hands-free design to people when and where they need it. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Xybernaut has offices and subsidiaries in Europe (Germany) and Asia (Japan). Visit Xybernaut's Web site at www.xybernaut.com. Product photos are also available directly from Xybernaut.
Xybernaut, the Xybernaut logo, Atigo(TM) and Mobile Assistant® V (MA® V) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Xybernaut Corporation in the USA and other countries. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.
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Contact:
Xybernaut Corporation
Michael Binko, 703-631-6925
or
IBM Corporation
Cary Ziter, 845-892-5005 |
