Acer announced that it has acquired renowned GPS cycling computer brand, Xplova, to expand its reach in the sports industry. 

Acer will integrate Xplova’s technology with its hardware, software and services. With the technological and operational capabilities to provide hardware-and-software integrated services, Xplova’s core competencies include the design and manufacturing of smart cycling computers; and cycling community services for route planning, live tracking of group members in cycling events, analysis and summary of personal cycling activities for worldwide cyclists.

Xplova offers a comprehensive cycling experience by enabling a cyclist to easily plan a route at tour.xplova.com with map and elevation profile, then ride safer with Xplova’s smart cycling computer and live tracking service to view the real time position of each member in the group cycling event. Post event, cyclists can share their activity logs with friends via social media networks.

The acquisition will allow Xplova to benefit from Acer’s technology, global brand name, and marketing and channel reach. Conversely, Acer will integrate Xplova’s hardware, cloud computing platform, community service capabilities and industry knowhow to help expand its reach further into the sports industry. 

There are also plans to tap into China’s huge cycling industry with cloud-enabled sports services, helping general cyclists to search for the best routes in terms of distance and physical map, find biking activities, and share cycling fun or knowledge.

Acer has a history of supporting sports activities, including providing computing equipment for the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1998, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, and London 2012 Olympic Games. In 2014 Acer designed the event and registration website that sustained and processed an enormous influx of data for Taiwan’s first IAAF certified marathon. During the marathon held in March 2015, Acer provided real time photo sharing and location tracking services to enhance the overall experience for marathon runners and their fans, and marking its debut in integrating cloud technology in a marathon event. The latest success underlines Acer’s strengths in hardware, software, and services.

Acer has acquired Taipei-based Xplova through the Acer e-Enabling Service Business Inc., under the eBusiness Business Group.

Taken from CTimes