Xybernaut expands mobile/wearable computing

FAIRFAX, Virginia -- Xybernaut Corporation has signed an agreement that will have Cap Gemini Ernst & Young serve as a primary integrator of mobile/wearable computing solutions for existing and potential Cap Gemini Ernst & Young clients. Xybernaut's Mobile Assistant V (MA V) and the Mobile Assistant TC (MA TC) are used in a variety of customer service and self-help applications in the travel and leisure industry.

Mobile Assistants play a significant role in helping both customer service representatives and customers in processing information, handling reservations, making ticket purchases and managing important information. Xybernaut claims that its mobile solutions have actively helped to process more customers more efficiently at airports, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues throughout the world.

Under terms of the teaming agreement, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Xybernaut are already working together to develop and deploy mobile technologies for customers in various industries. Initial units of Xybernaut wearable computers have been sent to the Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Mobile Solution Center for integration with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young wireless networking and mobile workforce solutions.

PC-equivalent computers

Xybernaut mobile/wearable computers are PC-equivalent computers that support open source and industry standard protocols, such as hardwire and wireless communications (PCMCIA/Compact Flash/WiFi), advanced operating systems (such as Windows, Linux, and others), application/development software and peripheral devices (through USB, FireWire and serial/parallel ports). A unique differentiator of the platform is that Xybernaut computing devices are worn on the body by employees at the point where information is needed to perform business operations.

For example, American Trans Air (ATA) employs Xybernaut mobile/wearable computers in a variety of applications related to aircraft maintenance. These units are currently deployed at ATA's primary maintenance facility in Indianapolis.

"Xybernaut mobile/wearable technologies are becoming an integral component of our aircraft maintenance and repair processes," said Kevin Allen, systems engineer, Information Services for ATA. "Our ability to be competitive is directly related to aircraft reliability and efficiency of our technical teams. We have upgraded through several generations of Xybernaut devices since 2000 and have realized tangible results in several key areas of our operations. Most notably, increased technician productivity, higher accuracy in technician data gathering and delivery, greater knowledge management for decision makers and shorter turn-around times for aircraft during regular maintenance."

Passenger check-in

Another airline application is passenger check-in. Xybernaut says agents attend to customers more quickly and easily with the MA TC. They are providing faster service by moving into queues utilizing Xybernaut's wearable technology. An international airline, who is an early adopter of this "queue-busting" technology, found that their customers were amazed and pleased by the speed and convenience with the Xybernaut's wearable computer could facilitate check-in.

Both companies are considered leaders in their respective markets -- Xybernaut in mobile/wearable computing, and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young in mobile workforce computing solutions for large enterprise customers. The companies have worked together over the past six months to integrate the Mobile Assistant V (MA V) and the Atigo mobile/wearable computers with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young's proven expertise and third-party software and services.

"Benefits from mobile/wearable computing are already being realized by many of our large enterprise customers in the broad categories of field services and field workforce automation," said Frank Smith, Vice President, Cap Gemini Ernst &Young. "Many of our customers look to Cap Gemini Ernst & Young to develop the best approach to deploy mobile solutions for maximum productivity gains and return on investment. Xybernaut is a recognized market leader in wearable computing and we believe that this joint initiative will produce results that are immediately quantifiable on our customers' balance sheets."