GoPro acquires Australian company Forcite

Action cam manufacturer GoPro has announced an agreement to acquire Sydney company Forcite Helmet Systems, a pioneer in embedding safety and GPS technology into helmets.

In a statement, GoPro says it intends to 'accelerate' Forcite’s vision to provide a safer, more dynamic motorcycling experience through tech-enabled motorcycle helmets with the long-term goal of tech-enabling other categories of helmets over time.

Forcite's helmets work with a visual warning system made up of multi-colored LED strips embedded on the top rail of its full face helmet’s chin bar. Coupled with GPS audio guidance via its own Forcite app, riders get turn-by-turn route previews from a moving arc of LEDs ahead of a turn.

GoPro founder and CEO, Nicholas Woodman describes the acquisition as 'exciting'.

“Together we can work towards enhancing the performance and safety of various types of helmets, starting with motorcycle helmets,” he said.

GoPro says through the partnership it will develop its own GoPro-branded line of helmets, and partner with other helmet brands to help tech-enable their own helmet lines.

You can read the announcement here. 

Cover image: GoPro