The satellite navigation multinational, Garmin has “acquihired” iKubu; the Stellenbosch based startup notably popular for designing the Backtracker bicycle radar technology.
The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
The technology – Backtracker – basically helps cyclists allay fears of being rear-ended through a radar component that picks up proximity and speed of rear-approaching vehicles and relays the information to a component on the handle-bar.
According to a statement on Garmin’s website, “iKubu was in the final stages of developing the Backtracker low-energy bike radar. [Garmin is] delighted to add this technology to [its] portfolio”
Under the terms of the acquisition, Garmin reveals that most of the former employees of iKubu will become employees of Garmin’s existing subsidiary in South Africa and will continue to operate primarily as a research and development center based in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
