Intel Corp. has acquired heads up display manufacturer Recon Instruments in an affirmation of its commitment to the smart eyewear category that Google abandoned earlier this year and outdoor sports pioneering role in wearable technology.

Recon Co-founder and CEO Dan Eisenhardt disclosed the news June 17 in a blog post did not disclose financial details of the transaction.

Recon Instruments shipped the world's first heads up display for snow sports goggles in 2008 and has partnered with goggle and helmet manufacturers, including Oakley, Scott, Smith Optics, Uvex and Zeal. Intel invested an undisclosed sum in the Vancouver, BC company in September, 2013 as it began shipping its Recon Jet sunglasses, which have been marketed primarily to outdoor athletes such as cyclists and runners.
 
“Not only is this a huge milestone for us and a pivotal event in the consumer electronics industry; we at Recon believe this is also a tremendous opportunity that will lead to amazing things, just as much for us as for our customers,” wrote Eisenhardt in his blog post.

Recon
Instruments began shipping its Recon Jet heads-up
display in 2013. 

The $699 Recon Jet delivers real-time data on a display that sits below the athlete’s right eye, just outside their field of vision, yet is easily accessible with a quick glance. The devices are GPS enabled and equipped with camera, accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter, barometer and magnetometer. On June 18, Recon added support for ANT+ power meters, which competitive road cyclists rely on to hone their performance without having to glance down at their handlebars.

While Google pulled the plug on its Glass smart eyewear in January, Recon Instruments has sold more than 65,000 of its products and emerged as the leader in heads up displays and smart eyewear for sports. The company sells direct to consumers online in North America.

Intel has been actively pursuing the wearable technology segment since newly minted Intel CEO Brian Krzanich revealed several projects at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2014. Krzanich followed up at this year's show in January by announcing multiple products and initiatives with different fashion, fitness and lifestyle brands, including its own Basis Peak fitness tracker brand, the SMS Audio BioSport in-ear headphones brand and Oakley sunglasses, which will become the first brand in the Luxottica Group to incorporate smart technology.

A mechanical engineer and MBA from Denmark, Eisenhardt credits his inspiration for creating the company in part to his background as a competitive swimmer and passionate cyclist and snowboarder. But he sees vast applications for the company's technology among surgeons and other professionals who need to keep their eyes focused on a task while also monitoring a stream of information.

As part of Intel, Recon will be able to attract third-party app developers to pursue those markets much more quickly and efficiently. It also means Recon will be able to draw from Intel’s extensive technology portfolio. Although both Motorola and Intel have invested in Recon, it has never used processors from either company in its devices.

“This acquisition has placed Recon in a uniquely advantageous position,” said Eisenhardt. “Going forward, we’ll continue leading the smart eyewear category for sports, and we’ll be able to bring our technology and innovation to completely new markets and use cases where activity-specific information, delivered instantly, can change the game. The team and I couldn’t be more enthusiastic.”