GPS-augmented goggles to turn skiing into interactive adventure - The Globe and Mail

Darcy Hughes kicked off the first day of the International Consumer Electronics Show by jumping out of an airplane and hitting 223 km/h in free-fall before touching down on the plush green grass of the Las Vegas Country Club.

Hughes, chief marketing officer for Recon Instruments Inc. of Vancouver, was demonstrating the capabilities of the company's Transcend ski goggles. The eyewear uses Global Positioning System satellites -- along with a range of other sensors -- to deliver real-time speed, distance and performance statistics via a micro LCD display that’s embedded in the goggles.

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“They're not designed for skydiving -- I only do this kind of crazy stuff for these guys,” Hughes said, gesturing toward his colleagues.

The jump was an apt metaphor for Recon, which today announced that its technology is leaping from being embedded in a single device, to modules that snap into goggles, helmets and other products by partner brands. The first “Recon Ready” products will be available by this fall from performance athletic equipment makers Alpina, Briko and Uvex.

“We're not a goggles company, we're a technology company,” Recon chairman Fraser Hall told The Globe and Mail. “We're building a platform.”

Based on an ARM9 processor running Google's Android operating system, the new platform will enable users to connect a camera and smartphone via Bluetooth, view integrated maps and include a buddy-tracking system that lets friends find each other on the mountain. Friends will also be able to stream video to each other and watch each other's perspectives as they race down the mountain. They can also share statistics, maps, trails and leaderboards through the company's Recon HQ social network online.

Follow Omar El Akkad and Saleem Khan as they cover the annual Consumer Electronics Show

1842PT Guy in LVCC media room who admitted creeping "hot women" at #CES selecting, editing photos of "booth babes," scantily clad. #CES11 by @saleemkhan about 9 minutes ago

1534PT Re: My Motorola #Atrix comparison to #Palm #Foleo: I meant it reminded me of it. For the record, I tried and liked Foleo. #CES #CES11 by @saleemkhan about 18 minutes ago

1524PT OH: #CES media room at Las Vegas Convention Center (Aussie accent): "I looked for more hot women to take pictures of and found some!" by @saleemkhan about 28 minutes ago

The Sony thing is starting by @omarelakkad about 31 minutes ago

There's a full band setup on the Sony stage. I think we might see a repeat of last year's "watch Taylor Swift in 3D!" craziness by @omarelakkad about 39 minutes ago

Infamous 2 (I think the guy playing the demo unit intends to play from start to finish) by @omarelakkad about 43 minutes ago

Purely design-wise, I gotta say, Sony and LG have the prettiest TVs again. by @omarelakkad about 55 minutes ago

1436PT First post from Motorola #Atrix. #CES CES11 #MMI by @saleemkhan about 1 hour, 15 minutes ago

Massive lineup at Logitech; they're giving away free keyboards by @omarelakkad about 1 hour, 59 minutes ago

Just finished a video hit for BNN, during which I unwisely defended the Laserdisc, for some reason. by @omarelakkad about 2 hours, 8 minutes ago

Note to tech companies: please stop using real-life stuff for 3D demos. I can see the damn thing in 3D just by looking at it. by @omarelakkad about 2 hours, 38 minutes ago

They also have some guy working on a massive Avatar sand sculpture ... in 3D! by @omarelakkad about 2 hours, 39 minutes ago

Panasonic and NordicTrack have this jogging machine that plugs into a TV and let's you pick any roads on Google maps to "run" by @omarelakkad about 2 hours, 42 minutes ago

Panasonic really likes their TVs by @omarelakkad about 3 hours, 3 minutes ago

Oakley has jumped on the 3D bandwagon by @omarelakkad about 3 hours, 19 minutes ago

Back on the convention floor. Even more packed than yesterday by @omarelakkad about 3 hours, 29 minutes ago

1130PT If you missed them, some of my #CES posts ... Black & Decker's Mr.Fusion http://j.mp/ces11bdshred #CES11 by @saleemkhan about 4 hours, 21 minutes ago

1004PT Just wrapped some engaing discussions about mobile design and Android with Sony-Ericsson Arc team members. Story soon. #CES #CES11 by @saleemkhan about 5 hours, 48 minutes ago

0817PT To clarify, I can't bring any of the new tech at #CES back home for you -- not even for me! ;) #CES11 by @saleemkhan about 7 hours, 36 minutes ago

0758PT The Las Vegas Strip and environs are deserted at 7 a.m. but for runners, cab drivers and strays. Beautiful sunrises here. #CES #CES11 by @saleemkhan about 7 hours, 53 minutes ago

“This opens up the platform to developers to create a whole range of gaming apps, mobile apps. We want to develop basic functionality and let others develop the apps they want,” Mr. Hall said.

Recon's software development kit will be available to Android developers in the second quarter of 2011.

Although he declined to name any, Mr. Hughes credited Recon's angel investors for making their work possible. “We wouldn't be able to do this in any other environment,” he said.

The Recon kit will run you around $299. Future plans include developing their technology for motorcycles, sunglasses and swimming.

via theglobeandmail.com