TECHNOLOGY

Bell Canada, IBM, Xybernaut Launch Field Trial App. of Wearable Computers

At a recent press conference, Xybernaut Corporation, IBM Canada Ltd., and Bell Canada announced the launch of a joint, large-scale trial application of wearable computers. The development of the wearable PC was a collaborative effort of Xybernaut and IBM, with the latter designing, developing, and manufacturing the computer portion of Xybernaut’s computer system. Bell Canada, a long-standing IBM customer, was approached to market the device.

The Trial:

• For a two-month period, 5,0000 field technicians from Bell Canada’s Mobile Communciations Center will test the wearable computer under all weather and work conditions.

• The technicians will be equipped with Xybernaut’s Mobile Assistant® IV (MA IV®) wearable PCs, replacing their IBM ThinkPad® laptops.

• Xybernaut’s Mobile Assistant® IV

• Lightweight and form-fitting

• A fully wireless computing and communications device for accessing the Internet and providing voice capabilities

• Worn as a belt or vest

• Equipped with a headset or a flat panel display for projecting and viewing images

• The trial is expected to determine if the wearable PC will translate into greater efficiencies, shorter repair times, and overall better customer service.

If the trial should produce favorable results, Bell Canada intends to gradually deploy the Mobile Assistant among its field technicians and explore the marketability of wearable computers among its wireless customers.

For more information: www.xybernaut.com/public/press/pub_prss_39.htm