3/28/2002 6:02:00 AM
BOTHELL, Wash., Mar 28, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) —
Omega Systems Will Market Innovative Wearable Display for Homeland Security and Defense Applications
Microvision (Nasdaq:MVIS) today
announced that it has signed a distribution reseller agreement with Omega
Systems, Inc. (www.omegasys.net), a full service system integrator to the
defense market.
Omega Systems will resell Microvision’s Nomad wearable display to customers in
the defense marketplace where the Nomad System’s ability to display information
in a head-up and hands-free mode can provide powerful benefits in a variety of
military C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance) and security applications including some
developing concepts for homeland defense.
Among the applications Omega will target, is one that utilizes a broadband
satellite communications network to allow individuals located around the world
to share and exchange mission-critical information virtually instantaneously.
The combination of distributed information delivery and a wearable head-up
display, make for a powerful security or emergency management system. By
allowing the operator to view information superimposed over their field of view,
the Nomad System enables users to stay focused on the surrounding scene with
their hands free. By integrating a miniature camera with the headworn display
video images can be transmitted back or viewed simultaneously by others to
create a “shared space” effect. According to Gary Petersen, Microvision’s
director of sales for defense, this kind of two-way video communication is a
powerful means of gathering, sharing and enhancing intelligence and can also be
used to provide all manner of “remote expert” support.
“Peacekeeping and warfare have become information-driven. Our armed forces must
be able to receive, integrate, and rapidly assimilate information from disparate
sources,” said Peterson. “This system takes intelligence, security and rapid
response to a whole new level. Imagine wearing the Nomad in a particular
environment and having relevant intelligence information appear in your field of
view as you move through that space. It could be images from a remote camera or
a sensor, or it could be diagrams or instructions that are being typed in or
drawn over the scene by a remote expert — who is looking at the same scene
through a camera integrated with the wearable display — to provide assistance
or support.”
Last week, the companies demonstrated the ability of the Nomad System to display
wireless data received from a live video teleconference. An individual equipped
with the Nomad System and integrated video camera received video information
from and transmitted to a central command post. The demonstration shows the
Nomad System’s power to enable communications between organizations and mobile
end-users in all environments, anywhere in the world.
Omega Systems has successfully implemented a number of complex communications
and information technology systems for the U.S. Marines and other branches of
the defense department. Microvision says that the companies’ combined efforts
will provide customers with solutions that offer the potential to increase
productivity, enhance safety and broaden communications in a variety of
military, security and public safety operations.
About the Nomad Personal Display System:
Based on Microvision’s patented light scanning technology, the recently
introduced Nomad System is a high-resolution head-worn display that presents
images and information to the user on a high brightness, see-through, virtual
17-inch display. This unique personal display enables hands-free access to
information such as diagrams, instrumentation, maintenance records, moving maps
and interactive training manuals, superimposing the information on the user’s
view and creating “augmented vision.” The Nomad System features full
daylight-readability, allowing users to view high contrast images in even the
most challenging ambient lighting conditions. High quality, Super VGA resolution
makes the Nomad System immediately compatible with a broad range of existing
applications and content. The Nomad Personal Display System has a manufacturer’s
suggested list price of $12,000.
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 defense — 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.microvision.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 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.
CONTACT:
Microvision
(media)
Matt Nichols, mattn@mvis.com
or
(investors)
Brian Heagler, 425/415-6847
brian_heagler@mvis.com
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