Garmin acquired MetriGear, a Silicon Valley-based company that produces performance solutions for cycling and other sports. The purchase will be added to the Swiss satellite navigation company's outdoor fitness division, which increased its revenue 30% to $245 million during the first half of this year. MetriGear developed Vector, a tool that measures cyclists' power via a sensor platform built into the spindles of bicycle pedals. Terms were not disclosed.
“Adding MetriGear's talents and technologies to the Garmin family is a natural fit as we share a passion for fitness and are dedicated to making advanced technology affordable and easy to use,” Garmin chief operating officer and president Cliff Pemble said in a statement.
Garmin and MetriGear will work to bring Vector to market. Pricing and availability were not announced. The Vector power meter first seen at the 2009 Interbike show but the subsequent releases of the Vector have been postponed due to development delays.
“From the start, our vision has been to deliver an easy-to-own cycling power meter with unique capabilities,” said MetriGear CEO Clark Foy in a press release. “Garmin's world-class engineering, wireless, manufacturing expertise and their ability to deliver an end-to-end solution from sensors to displays will be instrumental in realizing this vision. We can't imagine a more capable partner to bring Vector to market, and we are absolutely thrilled to join the Garmin team.”
Garmin recently has been expanding its line of cycling computers that include the company's Global Positioning System technology. It recently introduced the Edge 800, a cycling computer that uses GPS information to track speed, distance, time, GPS position, elevation, calories burned, climb, and descent.
