Xybernaut to collaborate with IBM, Texas Instruments
COMPUTER HARDWARE
By Nora Macaluso, LocalBusiness.com
Apr 19, 2001 08:01 AM ET
UPDATED FAIRFAX, Va., April 19 (LocalBusiness.com) -- Xybernaut Corp., IBM Corp. and Texas Instruments Inc. are reportedly preparing to introduce a jointly developed wearable computer.
A spokesman for Xybernaut (Nasdaq: XYBR) would not comment on the report, except to say that the company and IBM are planning a joint press conference at the International Conference on Wearable Computing, to be held here May 30 and 31.
Earlier this month, Xybernaut said it received a contract worth more than $1 million to equip FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) flight line maintenance technicians with its MA IV wearable computers, enabling them to check key information while working on aircraft.
Xybernaut has been testing the devices with a number of major companies, and many of those participating in the pilot programs are preparing to sign on to purchase them, President and Chief Operating Officer Todd Rehm told LocalBusiness.com at the time.
Other companies currently testing Xybernaut computers are General Electric Co., Hilton Hotels Corp. and British Airways Plc.
Big screen, small package
The MA IV, which is about the size of a clock radio, is capable of running all standard operating systems, including Windows and Linux. The main unit is worn on a belt buckle, and a mirror attached to a headset lets the wearer view a video console that gives the appearance of a 17-inch computer monitor.
Xybernaut, www.xybernaut.com, says it's the No. 1 maker of wearable computers, which sell for $4,000 to $5,000 each.
In January, Xybernaut said it would collaborate with Hitachi Ltd. and Shimadzu Corp. to market a line of wearable Internet appliances, with Hitachi systems powering the control units, Shimadzu providing the displays and Xybernaut exploring business opportunities for the products.
Xybernaut shares closed Wednesday at $2.39, up 37 cents. The shares have traded as high as $12.25 and as low as $1.16 over the past year.
Military study begins
Meanwhile, Xybernaut today announced it had completed an initial shipment of wearable computers to the U.S. Navy and National Guard. The services are conducting feasibility studies testing whether the technology can trim repair time for aircraft and weapons systems.
