GPS and navigation equipment giant, Garmin says it has acquired the assets of iKubu, a privately-held designer of computer vision and radar systems for the cycling market, based in South Africa.<\/p>\n
Garmin noted that iKubu is in the final stages of developing the Backtracker low-energy bike radar, a device that provides unparalleled situational awareness by giving the cyclist the speed and distance of vehicles that are approaching from behind.<\/p>\n
The road is scanned by a rear-facing radar module that also doubles as a dynamically flashing caution light, and the information is sent wirelessly to a handlebar-mounted head unit.<\/p>\n
The financial terms of the deal were not revealed.<\/p>\n
Most of the former employees of iKubu will become employees of Garmin\u2019s existing subsidiary in South Africa and will continue to operate primarily as a research and development centre based in Stellenbosch, South Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201ciKubu has found a way to implement short-range radar into a low-power system that addresses a common concern among cyclists \u2013 identifying potential hazards that are approaching them from behind,\u201d said Cliff Pemble, Garmin\u2019s president and CEO.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to add this technology to the Garmin portfolio.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGarmin is a technological leader among cyclists, and we are looking forward to integrating our technology and expertise into their outstanding products,\u201d said Franz Struwig, managing director of iKubu.<\/p>\n
\u201cGarmin gives us the resources to develop, bring to market, and showcase our products that we otherwise would not have.\u201d<\/p>\n
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