9/14/2004 6:31:00 AM
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Company expands automotive marketing efforts into trucking industry for its unique wireless computer with head-worn, see-through display
BOTHELL, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 14, 2004– Microvision, Inc. (Nasdaq:MVIS), today announced that it will
showcase the Nomad Expert Technician System to the American Trucking
Association at their annual TMC (Truck Maintenance Council) meeting,
September 14 – 16, in Nashville, TN.
TMC, a council of American Trucking Association, is North
America’s premier technical society for truck equipment, information
technology and logistics professionals. TMC member fleets represent
1.3 million trailers, more than 750,000 straight trucks and more than
600,000 Class 8 tractors purchased in the United States — one-third
of the commercial vehicles operating on U.S. highways.
“Truck maintenance and service is another significant market
opportunity for the Nomad System,” stated Chris Johnston, Microvision
Marketing Manager, Automotive and Trucking. “There are approximately
25,000 new heavy truck and automobile franchises in the U.S., plus
more than 160,000 after-market repair facilities, according to U.S.
Government Census statistics. All face the challenge of increasing
complexity in new vehicles and a critical shortage of trained
technicians. The resulting situation is a need to apply technology in
order to gain efficiency in throughput and to reduce errors. We are
honored by the invitation from the American Trucking Association to
present the Nomad System at this annual meeting, and to initiate
direct dialogue about our product offering with many of the leading
companies in the trucking industry.”
Microvision has demonstrated productivity gains associated with
using the Nomad Expert Technician System in automobiles and heavy
trucks in trials with American Honda Motor Company and Volvo Trucks,
North America. Gains of up to 40% have been demonstrated in field
trials of the Nomad System. “We can translate the productivity
benefits we’ve seen in these trials to the entire trucking industry,”
Johnston added. “We have a proven solution that we’re shipping today
and we’re ready to deploy the Nomad System into the medium and heavy
duty truck market.”
The Nomad Expert Technician System is the world’s first wearable,
wireless computer with a head-worn, see-through display, providing
maintenance technicians and service personnel with hands-free access
to online repair information and equipment history while they work.
This not only saves time, but allows less experienced technicians to
work with a higher level of accuracy. Having all the information in
the technicians’ visual field as needed, whether up on the engine or
in the cab, means fewer guesses or mistakes. Getting it right the
first time is equally as important as getting the truck on the road
quickly.
In a study commissioned by Microvision and performed by Salire
Partners, a formula for return on investment (ROI) with the use of
Nomad Expert Technician Systems was created for a typical heavy truck
dealership. At the measured 31% time efficiency gain in the Volvo
Trucks trial and a projected 50% usage of the Nomad tool for
diagnostics and complex procedures, a dealership could realize an ROI
of $2,292 per technician, per month. Annualized for eight technicians
the ROI can be as high as $113,000.
About Microvision: www.microvision.com. Headquartered in Bothell,
Wash., Microvision, Inc. is the world leader in the development of
high-resolution displays and imaging systems based on the company’s
proprietary silicon micro-mirror technology. The company’s technology
has applications in a broad range of industrial, professional,
military, medical and consumer products.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
Certain statements contained in this release, including potential
product applications and sales, potential market opportunity,
potential product benefits, as well as statements containing words
like “can,” “expect,” and other similar expressions, are
forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected in the company’s forward-looking
statements include the following: market acceptance of our
technologies and products; our ability to obtain financing; our
financial and technical resources relative to those of our
competitors; our ability to keep up with rapid technological change;
government regulation of our technologies; our ability to enforce our
intellectual property rights and protect our proprietary technologies;
the ability to obtain additional contract awards and to develop
partnership opportunities; the timing of commercial product launches;
the ability to achieve key technical milestones in key products; and
other risk factors identified from time to time in the company’s SEC
reports, including in its Annual Report on 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2003, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
CONTACT: Microvision, Inc.
Matt Nichols, 425-415-6657 (media)
or
Brian Heagler, 425-415-6794 (investors)
SOURCE: Microvision, Inc.