For newcomers, some XYBR DD regarding their involvement with Japanese firms like
Sony, from Yahoo:
From the Washington Post, September 29, 1997:
Xybernaut Hits New High On Sony Computer Deal
The stock of Xybernaut Corp. doubled last week and hit a new high after the
Fairfax maker of wearable computers announced a deal with Sony Corp.
Sony will design, engineer and produce machines using Xybernaut's
technology for tiny voice-controlled computers that use displays mounted on the
user's head for hands-free operation. The agreement with Sony was reached
after Xybernaut hired an executive who had been in charge of Sony's Walkman
product lines as executive vice president for Asian operations.
Traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market as XYBR, Xybernaut shares jumped to $
5.56 1/4 Friday, up from $ 2.75 a week earlier.
Friday's trading volume was a staggering 3 million shares, indicating that
speculators who buy stocks and then resell them for a small profit a few minutes
later were driving up the stock price. Such active trading can inflate the price
of a thinly traded stock such as Xybernaut, the trading of which normally
averages only 60,000 shares a day
PR Newswire, February 17, 1998:
Xybernaut Corporation Develops World's Fastest Wearable
Computer Through Strategic Alliances with Major Japanese Companies
Xybernaut Corporation (Nasdaq: XYBR), a leading provider of wearable
computer hardware and knowledge management software, today announced additional
details regarding the development of the Mobile Assistant(R)IV ("MA IV"),
Xybernaut's (R) next generation wearable computer.
The MA IV reflects Xybernaut's plan to establish world class
engineering and production for its new line of wearable computers and
accessories. It is the first product line that has resulted from its
announcement last Fall of its strategic shift to move high-volume manufacturing
to its Japanese operations.
In addition to the previously announced relationship with Sony
Digital Products, its primary Japanese manufacturer, Xybernaut has reached
agreement with a number of other highly regarded Japanese corporations in the
areas of long-term research, development, manufacturing and supply. These
companies include Fujitsu, Hitachi, Shimadzu, Hoshiden, Toshiba, Sony, Citizen
and Sharp. Additional relationships are being negotiated.
The MA IV is based on Intel's Pentium(R) 233MHz MMX mobile processor known as
the "Tillamook", includes a high-capacity internal hard drive, and a lightweight
VGA color Head Mounted Display. The 233MHz Pentium MMX processor used in the MA
IV is the first Intel processor built using an advanced 0.25 micron fabrication
process that allows for smaller size, significantly lower power consumption and
longer battery life.
Xybernaut is also in negotiations with several very large
Japanese corporations for sales, marketing, service and support of its product
lines worldwide as well as in specific market segments. This marks the
beginning of its shift in marketing focus to strategic marketing and
distribution agreements. These companies include such market leaders as SORD
(Toshiba), Omron, Ricoh, Nissho Iwai and divisions of Mitsubishi.
With strong production capabilities in place, Xybernaut is now establishing
appropriate marketing, sales and support agreements with leading American,
European and Far East companies.
Dr. Mark Bergman, noted technology analyst, stated that, "Unlike its
prior marketing efforts which revolved around internal sales and support of
its products, Xybernaut has now focused its direction towards establishing
global strategic relationships with multi-billion dollar distribution and
marketing companies."
Edward G. Newman, President of Xybernaut stated, "The MA IV is the
next step in our strategic plan to position Xybernaut as the long-term
worldwide leader in wearable computers, and follows our development plan of
smaller, lighter, faster and cheaper. We believe that the MA IV will be the
leading wearable computer on the market. It provides the power that leading
speech recognition technologies require, and commercial and military markets
demand. The outstanding development and production team for the MA IV reflects our strengths in technology and intellectual property as well as the efforts
of our Tokyo-based development and marketing office."
Xybernaut Corporation is a leader in providing integrated
hardware, software and service solutions to the emerging wearable computing
industry. Xybernaut's Mobile Assistant(R) series of patented wearable computer
systems feature portability, speech-activation and head-mounted displays that
allow users hands-free access to information in the computer's internal storage,
in local area networks, and on the Internet on an as-needed, where-needed
basis. Xybernaut's software is designed to provide users with the right
information needed for the task at hand using consistent navigation techniques
and screen presentations. Xybernaut's customers include leading domestic
and international corporations and government agencies for many mobile
knowledge delivery system applications, including maintenance and repair,
inspection, inventory control, manufacturing and data collection. Xybernaut
-- "Technology that listens when you speak(TM)."
From the Japan-U.S. Business Report, January 31, 1998:
One of the pioneers in the field of wearable computers has opened a sales and
production office in Tokyo. XYBERNAUT CORP.'s systems are speech-activated,
with head-mounted displays for hands-free access to information. The new office
already has signed purchasing agreements with name component suppliers and lined
up a manufacturing partner. It also has delivered sample products to NIPPON
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORP. and MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD. to test potential market demand. Fairfax, Virginia-based Xybernaut sees applications
for its machines in repair and maintenance, inventory control, instruction,
production and medical tasks.
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