Frost & Sullivan has given its 2006 Product Innovation Award in the field of “ambient intelligence” to Eurotech SpA, for its wearable wrist-worn personal computer (WWPC). The WWPC runs Windows CE and features hands-free operation, wireless networking, GPS tracking, and patent-pending power management technology.

Frost & Sullivan says it presents its annual Product Innovation Awards to companies that have “demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within their industry.” Commenting on Eurotech's award, Frost & Sullivan research analyst Amreetha Vijayakumar said, “Unlike earlier wearable systems, which catered to achieving one specific application, the WWPC performs a host of operations similar to a computer.”

The WWPC, also known as the Zypad WL 1000, features hands-free operation, wireless networking, GPS tracking, and patent-pending power management technology. Among other interesting features, the device includes a patent-pending orientation sensor that detects when the user lowers the arm on which the device is strapped, and automatically places the unit in a standby mode to conserve power, according to Eurotech. A “tilt and dead reckoning system” can determine if a user is motionless or has fallen down, resulting in the transmission of a locater beacon signal.

The Zypad WL 1000 targets emergency search-and-rescue, healthcare, homeland security, maintenance, law enforcement, logistics, transportation, and defense applications. It is marketed in the U.S. by Eurotech subsidiary Parvus.

In addition to Windows CE, the device also runs Linux. Read our earlier coverage for many more interesting details.

 
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