10/22/2003 9:41:00 AM
Use of Nomad System Aimed at Improving Service Quality
BOTHELL, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 22, 2003–Microvision, Inc. (Nasdaq:MVIS) today announced that in a field
trial of the Nomad Augmented Vision System at Volvo Trucks North
America’s Technical Support Center in Greensboro, NC, Microvision and
Volvo measured average increases of 31% in the efficiency of skilled
service technicians performing complex diagnostic procedures. The
trials were conducted as part of an evaluation by Volvo Trucks to
measure the effectiveness of Microvision’s Nomad Augmented Vision
System, a revolutionary head-worn head-up display that can overlay
truck and automobile diagnostics and repair instructions directly on
the technician’s vision.
Volvo Trucks has over 300 dealers in its North American network.
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 goal is getting trucks back on the road quickly and keeping
them there,” said Greg Holderfield, Director, Technical Support
Services, Volvo Trucks North America. “Giving technicians the ability
to see and access diagnostic data and procedures as they perform the
tasks 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 important as getting the truck on the road
quickly. We see the Nomad technology as a potential tool in Volvo’s
commitment to productivity for truck owners and operators.”
Bruce Ridley, manager of industrial marketing at Microvision
stated, “The results of this field trial are another strong validation
of the performance and value of the Nomad System for any potential
customer who is concerned about increasing productivity, quality and
safety in their operations. The economic benefit of achieving a 31%
increase in efficiency by reducing the amount of time it takes to
conduct costly procedures is enormous.”
The Nomad Augmented Vision System keeps procedural information in
the technician’s vision at all times by overlaying data and
instructions while the user deploys tools and test equipment. This new
way of working, called augmented vision, saves significant time for
technicians by eliminating the need to go back and forth to printed
manuals or computer kiosks.
In a study commissioned by Microvision and performed by Salire
Partners, a formula for return on investment (ROI) with the use of
Nomad Augmented Vision Systems was created for a typical heavy truck
dealership. At the measured 31% time efficiency gain and an estimated
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.
Microvision and Volvo Trucks North America indicated that they are
planning an additional evaluation to further develop and integrate the
Nomad System using a wireless 802.11(b) connection to Volvo’s
proprietary diagnostic system.
About Microvision: www.microvision.com
Headquartered in Bothell, Wash., Microvision Inc. is the developer
of highly patented scanned beam 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this release, including plans to
develop products, potential return on investment, future arrangements,
opportunities for product sales, and product applications, as well as
statements containing words like “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,”
“intend,” “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 our forward-looking statements include the following:
market acceptance of our technologies and products; our financial and
technical resources relative to those of our competitors; our ability
to obtain financing; 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 and ability to supply products in commercial quantities; the
ability to achieve key technical milestones in key products; and other
risk factors identified from time to time in our SEC reports and
filings, including in our most recently filed Registration Statement
on Form S-3.
CONTACT: Microvision Inc., Bothell
Media: Matt Nichols, 425-415-6657
Investors: Brian Heagler, 425-415-6794
SOURCE: Microvision Inc.