MVIS--XYBR--Xybernaut(R) and Microvison(TM) Team to Offer Wearable Computing Systems with Advanced Displays New Wearable PC-to-Display Interface Expected to Provide Expanded Market Opportunities
PR NEWSWIRE - March 22, 2000 07:00
FAIRFAX, Va., Mar 22, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Xybernaut Corporation (Nasdaq: XYBR), the leader in wearable computing solutions, announced today an agreement with Microvision, Inc. (Nasdaq: MVIS), the leader in retinal scanning display technology, to market a wearable information system for medical and industrial mobile workers with the world's first fully daylight readable and 'see-through' virtual display. This relationship will set the stage for establishing technical specifications for a new interface for wearable computing displays. Xybernaut's standards will be shared with other display manufacturers.
Microvision has designed its 'beta' version head-worn display to seemlessly integrate with Xybernaut's specifications for its Mobile Assistant(R) IV (MA IV(R)). The two companies are also collaborating to ensure compatibility of Microvision's headsets to Xybernaut's technical specifications for its future generations of wearable computers. Xybernaut anticipates Microvision's actions will lead the way for other display companies to adopt its technical specifications for wearable computing.
The companies will collaborate on the development of future wearable information systems, offering advanced visualization and see-through capabilities. Beta units of Microvision's headset on Xybernaut's commercially available wearable PC, the MA IV, are currently being deployed.
Chris Chinock, president of Insight Media, the publishers of Microdisplay Report, an industry news source on personal display electronics, commented, "The development of a PC-to-headset interface standard by Microvision and Xybernaut is an important step. By offering this interface to industry for review and possible adoption as a standard, their leadership may help resolve this competitive and thorny issue. Developing a standard is in the interests of all parties since it will help open up the wearable computing segment, as well as many other markets where headsets will be used."
Rick Rutkowski, president and CEO of Microvision, said, "We are excited to announce this very important relationship with Xybernaut. Our two companies are pioneering new and important forms of access to electronic information. As Microvision approaches our first commercial product launch into the medical, industrial and eventually the consumer segments, Xybernaut's expertise in mobile computing coupled with their market leadership will greatly enhance our own sales and marketing efforts."
Edward G. Newman, president and CEO of Xybernaut Corporation, added, "Microvision continues to advance the state-of-the-art in wearable display technologies for its impressive and rapidly growing customer base across aerospace, defense, medical and industrial markets, and we fully expect that our combined offerings will enhance our shared leadership positions in the market place."
About Microvision
Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., Microvision, Inc. (Nasdaq: MVIS) is the developer of the patented retinal scanning display 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 web site at mvis.com.
About Insight Media
Insight Media, Norwalk, Connecticut, publishes the Microdisplay Report, the only industry newsletter covering technology and business news about microdisplays, projection systems and personal display electronics. The company also offers technology reports and information databases. Please visit mdreport.com for more information.
About Xybernaut Corporation:
Xybernaut Corporation is the leading provider of mobile computing and communications solutions. At the beginning of March 2000, the company announced it had obtained a patent on a "transferable core" technology that allows users to insert and remove the brains of their communications or computing devices. The company's patented wearable computer, called the Mobile Assistant IV(R) (MA IV(R)), is a full-function Pentium PC that runs Microsoft MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT, along with UNIX, Linux and other operating systems that run on the Intel x86 architecture. The MA IV allows 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 when and where it's needed, using consistent navigation techniques and screen presentations. Key industries using Xybernaut's products include manufacturing, distribution, transportation, government, and utilities. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Xybernaut has offices and subsidiaries in Europe (Germany) and Asia (Japan). Visit Xybernaut's web site at xybernaut.com.
MS-DOS, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words "plan," "confident that," "believe," "expect," or "intend to," and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward- looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, the availability of components and production of the Mobile Assistant, general acceptance of the Company's products and technologies, competitive factors, the ability to successfully complete additional financings and other risks described in the Company's SEC reports and filings.
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