The world of action cameras and motorcycles go hand-in-hand, which seems to have led to the world’s largest action camera brand, GoPro, wanting a bigger footprint in the segment via the acquisition of the motorcycle helmet manufacturer Forcite.
Forcite is a so-called connected helmet brand, meaning its lids come ready-equipped with the sort of technology and ancillary systems that would normally require buying and bolting on separately. That means things like a head-up display (HUD), a chin-mounted camera, and Bluetooth connectivity (providing music, and audio directions) are all available should you be willing to stump up the £929 to own one.
What is GoPro planning to do with Forcite?
It doesn’t take much imagination to see where GoPro is going with this, and alongside utilising GoPro’s renowned camera and cloud storage technology, the press release from the company explains that a series of co-branded helmets could be on the way.
“In addition to our plan to develop our own GoPro-branded line of helmets, we are excited to partner with other leading helmet brands to help tech-enable their own helmet lines.’ the press release reads. ‘We have great respect for established brands, and we look forward to working with them to help drive the industry forward, together.”
Speaking about the acquisition, GoPro founder and CEO, Nicholas Woodman, said:
"The greater helmet market represents a meaningful TAM expanding opportunity for GoPro, and we're excited for the Forcite team to join us so that together we can work towards enhancing the performance and safety of various types of helmets, starting with motorcycle helmets… GoPro has built a strong brand internationally across all forms of motorsports and has enjoyed a strong following with motorcycle enthusiasts. We're excited to leverage our brand reputation along with our technical and operational capabilities to address what we believe is a long-term growth opportunity for our business."
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