Justice Dept. taps Xybernaut for local crisis response pilot

Xybernaut Corp. has been selected by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center-Southeast to provide solutions to support first responders in Charleston, S.C., the company announced today. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The solutions are part of a new "critical incident response tool set" for police, fire and emergency personnel teams in the city.

Xybernaut, in conjunction with the regional technology center, will spearhead the effort, integrating its wearable computing technologies and solutions with products from Tactical Survey Group Inc. of Crestline, Calif., a partner.

Under the agreement, Xybernaut of Fairfax, Va., will provide its Mobile Assistant wearable computers configured with Tactical Survey Group crisis response technology, the company said.

The equipment will allow crisis response teams to formulate tactical plans while on their way to a crisis, decreasing deployment time and increasing operational efficiency, according to the company.

Once on site, responders will continue to have access to critical information via the wearable computers, reducing the team's reliance on information from command centers and other sources.

Users will evaluate the Critical Incident Response Tool Set during training exercises, an annual systemwide mock exercise and actual critical incidents. Lessons learned through each evaluation will be shared nationally through the National Institute of Justice's Office of Science and Technology. The institute is part of the U.S. Justice Department.

The National Law Enforcement and Corrections Center-Southeast is an institute program. It is located with the S.C. Research Authority in North Charleston, S.C.

Xybernaut, a provider of wearable and mobile computing hardware, software and services, has more than 90 employees and annual revenue of $9.8 million.