Smart glass-maker Vuzix has received a $24.8 million investment from Intel, the Rochester, N.Y.-based company announced in a press release.
Vuzix makes consumer-ready sunglasses for those who want a private web-surfing or home theater exprience while on the go. The company also makes professional models for those in the medical and diagnostic fields. The glasses sell in the range of $999.
The deal gives Intel, which already makes chips for the Vuzix glasses, a hefty seat at the "wearable technology" table. Also called "intelligent headgear," wearable technology is a rapidly growing segment of technology that has been dominated by eyeglasses.
The sector is expected to be featured prominently at Consumer Electronics Show, the industry's annual tech convention which will be held Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas.
Intelligent headgear offers hands-free capabilities for field tech, assistance for customer service agents and access to patient data for on-the-go doctors, according to Venture Beat.
Google Glass is considered Vuzix's prime competition but other companies are getting into the space, including Atheer Labs and Epson, Venture Beat reports. Vuzix hopes to dominate the market with its various applications in consumer, commercial and entertainment markets.
The company's products include personal display and wearable computing devices that provide solutions for mobility, wearable displays and virtual and augmented reality.
Vuzix holds 39 patents and 10 additional patents pending and numerous IP licenses in the Video Eyewear field. The company has won CES awards for innovation for the years 2005 to 2014 and several wireless technology innovation awards, among others.
The Vuzix M100 headset is available now for those looking for smart glasses. The wearable device provides the same features found in a smartphone, and it can work with any Android device with Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. Internet connection is available thanks to wireless Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Vuzix M100 smart glasses are available on Amazon and other retailers, in gray and white.
