FastVDO and Xybernaut Combine Bandwidth Management Technologies with Wearable Computing Devices

Business Wire, Feb 12, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

COLUMBIA, Md. and FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2003

Compression/Decompression Capabilities Optimized for Wearable Computers; Enhances Quality and Efficiency of Video Delivery

FastVDO LLC, a leading provider of rich media and bandwidth management technologies, today announced a teaming agreement with Xybernaut(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:XYBR), a leader in the wearable computer industry.

Solutions created and marketed under this agreement will bring high quality video to mobile users. The goal for the combined solutions is increased quality and greater efficiency of information technology investments for organizations or individuals that need high quality video.

Applications include military, law enforcement/security (surveillance/monitoring), field force automation, video conferencing, video-on-demand, entertainment/leisure, remote training, distance learning, photo/video journalism, interactive marketing, inspection/maintenance/repair.

FastVDO and Xybernaut indicated that initial research programs have already begun. These first programs concentrate on techniques for high quality video delivery to mobile platforms.

"The ability to send and receive high quality video when and where mobile users need it is a critical component of success for organizations and individuals in many segments of today's market. Wearable computers facilitate this type of immediate communication," stated Dr. Pankaj Topiwala, president and CEO for FastVDO. "Xybernaut's unique wearable computing products work with FastVDO video compression/decompression (codec) solutions to improve the efficiency and productivity of mobile computer users."

FastVDO helps organizations improve the quality and efficiency of video transmissions over public or private networks such as the Internet, satellite and other wireless broadband services, or secure intra/extranets.

Xybernaut mobile/wearable computing technologies have proven beneficial to organizations -- both large and small -- in increasing productivity in various field force automation applications. FastVDO and Xybernaut both share experience and expertise in developing solutions for a large number of vertical industry sectors.

Various organizations within the U.S. Government use FastVDO solutions to improve their delivery of high quality video. Organizations currently employing Xybernaut wearable computers include Bell Canada, Boeing, various U.S. and foreign militaries, DynCorp, FedEx Express, GE Power Systems, International Truck, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and NTT DoCoMo.

"The benefits of wearable computers are already being realized in field force automation functions across many industry segments," stated Edward G. Newman, chairman, president and CEO of Xybernaut. "Combined with FastVDO expertise in delivering high quality video, our mobile/wearable computing solutions will boost the user experience and productivity within organizations and throughout consumer communities."

About Xybernaut

Xybernaut Corporation is an established provider of wearable/mobile computing hardware, software and services, bringing communications and full-function computing power in a hands-free design to people when and where they need it. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, Xybernaut has offices and subsidiaries in Europe (Germany) and Asia (Japan).

Xybernaut's Web site is at www.xybernaut.com.

About FastVDO

FastVDO was founded in 1998 to commercialize advanced research in image processing and video compression technologies. Currently the company is privately held with equity stakes by various investors. The company's research into advanced imaging systems also has been funded by multi-million U.S. Government contracts.

The cornerstone to FastVDO's products is compression technology supporting standards such as MPEG-4 and H264, as well as proprietary extensions that add value, functionality, scalability and security. While FastVDO's compression (codec) technology leverages existing standards, these technologies are more efficient and scalable than existing standards, with better image quality at a given bit rate.

Additional information can be found at www.fastvdo.com.

Xybernaut, the Xybernaut logo, Atigo(TM) and Mobile Assistant(R) V (MA(R) V) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Xybernaut Corporation in the USA and other countries. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act").

In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words "plan," "confident that," "believe," "scheduled," "expect," or "intend to," and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act.

Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward-looking statements.