Le Suisse u-blox rachète les modules Bluetooth de Rigado

u-blox, fournisseur suisse de technologies de positionnement et de communication sans fil, a annoncé le 31 juillet l’acquisition de la division modules Bluetooth de l’Américain Rigado. Cette acquisition, dont le montant n’a pas été révélé, permettra à u-blox d’étendre sa gamme de produits dans les domaines des technologies Bluetooth basse consommation, Zigbee et Thread, ainsi que d’accéder à d’autres segments et canaux du marché.

u‑blox, a Swiss provider of positioning and wireless communication technologies, announced it acquired Rigado’s Bluetooth modules business in an Asset Purchase Agreement. Rigado is a provider of Edge‑as‑a-Service gateway solutions for Commercial IoT, and began offering certified wireless modules in 2015.

This acquisition will allow u‑blox to extend their range of products in the area of Bluetooth low energy, Zigbee and Thread, as well as to access additional market segments and channels. The combined short range radio offering adds new modules targeting consumer‑oriented markets, for instance sport and fitness, while Rigado’s existing customers will get access to all u‑blox Wi‑Fi, cellular, and positioning solutions for their IoT applications. In addition, Rigado’s customers will benefit from u‑blox’s global support capabilities.

“Rigado’s Bluetooth modules business complements our already extensive portfolio and gives us access to more channels and new interesting customers in the area of smart home, wearables, as well as fitness,” said Herbert Blaser, Head Product Center Short Range Radio, u‑blox. “We’re also looking forward to the ongoing collaboration with distribution partners like Digi‑key or Future Electronics, where we’ll be able to offer a seamless transition”, he noted.

The Rigado Bluetooth modules portfolio will be re‑branded under the u‑blox name and integrated into the short range radio offering.

Founded in 2010, Rigado’s Edge‑as‑a-Service  solutions power more than 300 global customers and 5 million connected devices across Commercial IoT solutions such as Asset Tracking, Smart Lighting, and Sensing and Monitoring in markets like Smart Workplaces, and Connected Retail and Logistics. Rigado is headquartered in Portland, Oregon with offices in London, UK and Shenzhen, China.