Maintenance Package allows hands-free access to data.
Press Release Summary:
Featuring Nomad(TM) Personal Display System, Expert Maintenance Package superimposes technical data and procedural instructions in service technicians' field of view, allowing hands-free access to data at point of task. Head-worn system presents images and information to user on see-through virtual 17 in. display. It includes voice activated software and optional wireless communication to remote server.
Original Press Release:
Microvision's Expert Maintenance Package will increase productivity and reduce costs
The Nomad Personal Display System allows hands-free access
to data and procedures
Chicago - March 18, 2002. Microvision (NASDAQ: MVIS) will introduce the Expert Maintenance Package today at the National Manufacturing Week, March 18-21, at Chicago's McCormick Place Complex. Featuring the Nomad(TM) Personal Display System, the Expert Maintenance Package increases efficiency of service technicians and maintenance personnel by superimposing technical data and procedural instructions in their field of view, allowing head up, hands-free access to data right at the point of task.
Microvision will demonstrate the benefits of this innovative technology during the week-long NMW at booth #2336. The Expert Maintenance Package is designed for use throughout the manufacturing process to reduce maintenance expenses by increasing productivity.
The Expert Maintenance Package is built around the Nomad system, the world's first high brightness, head-worn, see-through display. The system increases the productivity of service technicians and mechanics by allowing head up, hands-free access at the point of task to images and information such as automotive service manuals in electronic format. The Nomad display superimposes technical data and procedural instructions in the worker's field of view, according to Bruce Ridley, Microvision marketing manager for industrial applications.
A recent field trial done in the service department of an ambulance and emergency vehicle company -- where minimizing downtime is critical -- proved that the Expert Maintenance Package increased efficiency and provided on-the-job (or at-the-task) training. The trial resulted in a total efficiency gain of 45 percent. Experts decreased their repair time by 27 percent and novices decreased 63 percent. Of particular significance, noted Ridley, was that novice task time and expert task time ended up almost equal, proving that "information at the point of task can help train employees of all levels."
By providing interactive electronic support for maintenance and repair procedures, the Expert Maintenance Package can improve quality and productivity to help manufacturers control those costs. Service technicians and mechanics will perform more accurate diagnoses and spend less time looking for information with a system designed to display relevant information at the worker's point of task. Microvision's Expert Maintenance Package includes the Nomad Personal Display System, a wearable computer, voice activated software, and an optional wireless communication feature that enables hands-free access to a remote server. The Expert Maintenance Package bundle retails at approximately $16,000.
Based on Microvision's patented light scanning technology, the recently introduced Nomad Personal Display System is a high-resolution head-worn display that presents images and information to the user on a see-through virtual 17-inch display. From flight paths to factory floors, surgical suites, and more, the Nomad System can deliver major improvements in productivity, quality and safety for virtually any type of manual task. The company is targeting applications for workers in four vertical markets - industrial, aerospace, medical, and military - that enable customers to keep information in front of people engaged in manual tasks or on the move, allowing access to information at the point of task and information, anywhere.
About Microvision: www.mvis.com
Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., Microvision Inc. is the developer of the patented retinal scanning display technology and a world leader in micro miniature optical scanning technology for display and imaging applications. The company's technology has applications in a broad range of military, medical, industrial, professional and consumer information products. Nomad is a trademark of Microvision, Inc.
Forward Looking Statement
The information set forth in this release includes 'forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21 E 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.
