Wednesday May 19, 6:30 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Microvision, Inc.
Microvision Awarded Phase I Contract From DARPA
Company Plans Integration of Virtual Retinal Display Technology for
Use In Armored Vehicles
BOTHELL, Wash., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Microvision, Inc. (Nasdaq: MVIS - news,
MVISW - news) today announced it has received a phase I contract from the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to explore integrating the company's
proprietary Virtual Retinal Display(TM) (VRD(TM)) technology in armored vehicles.
Under the terms of the contract, DARPA has requested that Microvision provide a design
plan for an extremely advanced head-worn display that will deliver a full 360-degree
panoramic view of the battlespace while allowing personnel to remain in the vehicle --
creating in essence a ''glass turret.'' The objective is to provide situational awareness equal
to or better than that achieved with normal unaided daylight vision, as well as during
nighttime and adverse environmental conditions. Microvision's six-month study will
explore head-tracking, sensors and human factors in glass turret applications and could lead
to a follow-on prototype development effort.
''Current turreted vehicles fail to provide adequate situational awareness, especially under
battlefield conditions,'' said Microvision President and CEO Rick Rutkowski. ''In fact, in
many battle tanks, there is no display system in the turret, and therefore the external view is
limited to what can be seen from a periscope or glass blocks. And in some cases, vehicle
crews must put themselves at risk by standing with their heads outside the tank hatch.
''Now imagine if you could offer a head-worn display that provides the tank commander a
clear view of the environment without having to leave the protective confines of the turret,''
Rutkowski added. ''And by incorporating input from such sources as AWACS or satellites,
the commander also could potentially see objects behind hills and other topographical or
man-made obstacles. You now have greatly enhanced the commander's situational
awareness, as well as increased the tank's lethality and survivability. Microvision's strategy
calls for us to penetrate markets in military aircraft, ships, ground vehicles and troops,
among others. This contract not only advances VRD technology for use in ground vehicles,
but also has the potential to advance our work in these other markets.''
Microvision believes that VRD technology has the potential to succeed where conventional
display technologies fall short. While some technologies lack the luminance necessary for
high ambient light conditions and others have high power requirements that place
unacceptably high voltages on the head, only VRD technology provides true see-through,
daylight readability in a compact, lower-powered display. There currently are more than
15,000 armored vehicles domestically in use in the military today where VRD technology
could be an asset. Additionally, there are tens of thousands of armored vehicles worldwide
that can benefit from a glass turret display system.
About Microvision
Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., Microvision, Inc. (Nasdaq: MVIS - news, MVISW - news)
is the developer of the patented Virtual Retinal Display(TM) (VRD(TM)) technology that
uses a rapidly scanned beam of light to project images on the eye's retina, allowing the
viewer to see large, full-motion images without the need for a conventional display screen.
Microvision's objective is to be a leading provider of personal display products and imaging
technology in a broad range of military, medical, industrial, professional and consumer
applications. The company was founded in 1993. Additional information can be found at
the company's website at mvis.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
The information set forth in this release includes ''forward-looking statements'' within the
meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject
to the safe harbor created by those sections. Certain factors that realistically could cause
results to differ materially from those projected in the company's forward-looking
statements are set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: Microvision, Inc. |
