Microvision Joins Xybernaut VAR Program as Companies Integrate Wearable Computers With 'Augmented Vision' Display Technologies
Wearable Computers and Personal Display System Combine to Improve "Point of Task" Performance in Field Force Automation
FAIRFAX, Va. and BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 2002-- Xybernaut Corporation (NASDAQ:XYBR - News) and Microvision, Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS - News) today announced a teaming agreement under which Microvision joins Team Xybernaut(TM) as a value-added reseller (VAR) and both companies have agreed to co-market each other's products.
Both companies are leaders in their respective markets -- mobile/wearable computing (Xybernaut) and high-resolution displays and imaging (Microvision) -- and have worked together to integrate the Mobile Assistant® V (MA® V) mobile/wearable computers with Microvision's recently-introduced Nomad(TM) Personal Display System. Initial units of Xybernaut wearable computers integrated with the Nomad System are already being shipped to several customers including branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Microvision's Nomad Personal Display System is a "see-through," daylight-readable head worn display. The Nomad System is a precision display instrument that superimposes mission-critical information on the user's field of vision, placing information they need at their point of task. The Nomad display is especially valuable for workers who perform complex tasks such as equipment maintenance, repair and overhaul; alignment in manufacturing processes; as well as navigation or targeting using heavy equipment.
"Our Nomad System is quickly becoming recognized as a powerful tool to help increase productivity, quality and safety for customers who require information directly at their point of task," said Tom Sanko, vice president for Microvision. "Together, Xybernaut and Microvision provide mobile professionals or frontline workers performing complex tasks the ability to achieve entirely new performance levels. We are truly changing the way people work," added Sanko.
Benefits from mobile/wearable computing are already being realized in the broad category of Field Force Automation (FFA) across a wide variety of industry segments including transportation/aerospace, hospitality/travel, telecommunications/utilities, government/military, medical and education. Both Companies anticipate interest in the integrated solution from customers and prospects in these and other market sectors.
"Whether users find themselves performing tactical military maneuvers, complex repairs, detailed quality assurance or critical customer services, Xybernaut and Microvision are delivering this integrated platform to boost productivity and reduce costs," stated Edward G. Newman, chairman, president and CEO of Xybernaut.
Microvision is one of the most respected manufacturers of advanced display technologies with over 60 patents issued and nearly 100 pending. Similarly, for more than a decade, Xybernaut has secured a leadership position by integrating wearables into commercial and consumer applications and the Company continues to be regarded as a vanguard in R&D, product design, technological interoperability, application support and systems integration.
Xybernaut has more than 700 patent applications pending or granted worldwide covering its innovative technologies, business methods, and concepts. Since the company's inception more than 10 years ago, Xybernaut's patents and patent applications have been extended to cover an even broader spectrum of issues related to mobile/wearable and related technologies such as ergonomics, data security, user hygiene, ruggedization, power management, peripheral support and many other factors related to wearable deployments.
About Microvision
Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., Microvision, Inc. is the developer of the proprietary Retinal Scanning Display technology and a world leader in micro miniature optical scanning technology for display and imaging applications. The company's technology has application in a broad range of military, medical, industrial, professional and consumer information products. Nomad is a trademark of Microvision, Inc. Additional information can be found about Microvision at the company's Web site at microvision.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.
Xybernaut, the Xybernaut logo 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.
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," "scheduled," "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 successful production of the Company's products, general acceptance of the Company's products and technologies, competitive factors, timing, and other risks described in the Company's SEC reports and filings.
Third party statements contained herein and information contained on any third party website are not endorsed by or adopted by Xybernaut, nor has their accuracy been verified by Xybernaut.
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Contact:
Xybernaut Corporation, Fairfax
Michael Binko, APR
703/631-6925
mbinko@xybernaut.com
or
Microvision, Inc.
Matt Nichols, 425/415-6657
mattn@mvis.com |
