Personally, as an ex radar maintenance technician, I wouldn't want the product just yet. I'm not impressed by the description of the monocular display. It hurts my eyes just to think about it. Now if they get MVIS's VRD, then I'll be excited about the prospects for the mobile assistant.
I do see possible value in a portable computer as a versital diagnostic test device. Imagine popping in a cd rom specific for the system you want to analyze, then plug it in to the malfunctioning equipment. If the equipment is built right, it can download to the mobil assistant vital operating parameters and allow the mobile assistant to make the initial problem diagnosis. This normally only gets the technician into the ball park, then for the tough problems, the real troubleshooting begins and I'll want my schematics.
I was a technician in the days the AF was considering putting tech manuals on computers and we were very resistant to that happening. I can see the value of putting parts manuals etc. on computer; however, as for those 3' to 4' long schematic diagrams - no way. I can't imagine looking at 15" (screen size) of a schematic diagram and getting a clue to what all of my troubleshooting options are. A lot of times, you've got to see or visualize the whole circuit at one time. Since those days, I've seen good computer training programs, simulated alignment sceniarios, etc.
By the way, that research report referenced a few pages back is worth reading. One would have thought it was written Sep 97 instead of Sep 96. Only a year ahead of their time. It explains a bit about the patents and challenges but the latest 10Q goes into more detail on it. Seems to me they are a bit iffy on whether or not the patent will stand up so they've got a back-up plan for the back-up plan??? Did I get that right?
I always get sick when I read the director's compensation part of any company's 10K's. This one was not exception. Seems to me some nonemployee directors are close to the line with what the SEC allows in the way of consulting services, compensation, etc. |
