KDDI Research, Inc. Develops Smart Hands-Free Nursing Care Support System Using Vuzix Smart Glasses
Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI) has announced a partnership with KDDI Research to develop a smart nursing care support system using Vuzix Smart Glasses. This innovative system, tested at Zenkokai nursing homes, employs facial recognition and speech synthesis technologies to provide immediate access to residents' information, enhancing care efficiency. The initiative aims to address challenges in nursing care facilities, where high turnover and resource shortages are prevalent. Vuzix's products continue to find opportunities in the healthcare sector, signaling growth potential for the company.
- Collaboration with KDDI Research may enhance Vuzix's market position in healthcare technology.
- Successful demonstration of the nursing care system may lead to increased adoption of Vuzix products in elder care.
- Continued expansion of healthcare-related applications highlights Vuzix's innovative capabilities.
- High turnover in the nursing industry may limit the long-term effectiveness of the technology.
- Implementation challenges could arise in broader adoption across diverse nursing facilities.
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vuzix® Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI), ("Vuzix" or, the "Company"), a leading supplier of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology and products, announced today that KDDI Research, Inc. ("KDDI Research"), a research institute that combines the think tank functions of the KDDI Group with R&D functions, has developed a smart hands-free nursing care support system that employs Vuzix Smart Glasses.
The support system, developed in conjunction with Zenkokai, a social welfare corporation that operates and manages nursing care welfare facilities in Tokyo, displays nursing care-related information using Vuzix Smart Glasses, as well as reads it aloud, by combining facial recognition and speech synthesis technology developed by KDDI Research. By using this system, staff members without detailed resident information can now have this information immediately presented on the spot, even that of new residents, making it possible to take any needed appropriate measures.
Demonstration experiments using this system were conducted at Zenkokai nursing homes from October to December 2020 and confirmed that it would be useful for work in nursing care sites. For employees of nursing care facilities to provide optimal care for its residents, it is very important to always keep track of information such as what condition each resident is currently in and what kind of care they need. The nursing care industry tends to have a high turnover rate compared to other industries, a shortage of human resources, and the number of residents that one employee responds to tends to increase. In addition, residents may not be equipped with ID tags for personal identification, and there is a need for a hands-free system that allows employees to quickly identify and view information about residents to provide better services by providing personalized and informed responses to each resident.
"Healthcare opportunities continue to steadily expand for Vuzix around the globe and this smart nursing care support system developed by KDDI Research in conjunction with Zenkokai is yet another example of how using smart glasses can make a real difference in people's lives," said Paul Travers, President and Chief Executive Officer at Vuzix. "We look forward to working with KDDI Research in their effort to bring greater safety, efficiency and productivity to the nursing home industry."
A copy of the KDDI Research, Inc. press release discussing this system can be accessed at https://www.kddi-research.jp/newsrelease/2021/020201.html.
About Vuzix Corporation
Vuzix is a leading supplier of Smart-Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies and products for the consumer and enterprise markets. The Company's products include personal display and wearable computing devices that offer users a portable high-quality viewing experience, provide solutions for mobility, wearable displays and augmented reality. Vuzix holds 184 patents and patents pending and numerous IP licenses in the Video Eyewear field. The Company has won Consumer Electronics Show (or CES) awards for innovation for the years 2005 to 2021 and several wireless technology innovation awards among others. Founded in 1997, Vuzix is a public company (NASDAQ: VUZI) with offices in Rochester, NY, Oxford, UK, and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, visit Vuzix website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
About KDDI Research, Inc.
KDDI Research, Inc. is a research institute that combines the think tank functions of the KDDI Group with R&D functions. In August 2020, KDDI Research, Inc., together with KDDI, formulated KDDI Accelerate 5.0, a vision for a next-generation society with an eye toward 2030, that will accelerate the realization of Society 5.0, a sustainable, people-centered society that balances economic development with solving social issues. We will continue to propose lifestyles that excite customers, provide new value and experiences, and continue to work to solve social issues.
Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer
Certain statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking statements contained in this release relate to Vuzix' the potential of future business growth with KDDI and KDDI Research Institute, opportunities in the nursing home industry, and among other things the Company's leadership in the Smart Glasses and AR display industry. They are generally identified by words such as "believes," "may," "expects," "anticipates," "should" and similar expressions. Readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are based upon the Company's beliefs and assumptions as of the date of this release. The Company's actual results could differ materially due to risk factors and other items described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Reports and MD&A filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian securities regulators (copies of which may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). Subsequent events and developments may cause these forward-looking statements to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise these forward-looking statements as a result of changed events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release, except as required by applicable law.
Media and Investor Relations Contact:
Ed McGregor, Director of Investor Relations
Vuzix Corporation
ed_mcgregor@vuzix.com
Tel: (585) 359-5985
Vuzix Corporation, 25 Hendrix Road, Suite A, West Henrietta, NY 14586 USA,
Investor Information – IR@vuzix.com www.vuzix.com
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