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Vuzix inks deal with Nokia to bring HERE maps to smart glasses

The Here apps will add a robust location services engine to the glasses, with features such as turn-by-turn guidance without an internet connection and public transport maps.
Written by Natalie Gagliordi, Contributor
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Vuzix, which makes smart glasses products for the enterprise, has secured a licensing deal with Nokia to incorporate Here mapping and navigation apps in its M100 Smart Glasses.

The Here apps will add a robust location services engine to the glasses, with features such as turn-by-turn drive or walk guidance without an internet connection, public transport maps, and integration with short-range location devices like Bluetooth beacons.

According to Vuzix president Paul Travers, the mapping function is geared toward pleasing the company's highly valued enterprise customer base.

"Here's map services provide a critical component that our enterprise users have been clamoring for," Travers said. "Especially with the ability to provide offline mapping."

Unlike Google Glass, which struggled to find a place with either consumers or the enterprise, Vuzix's no frills smart glasses have maintained a clear enterprise focus, largely targeting field technicians and factory workers.

The Nokia deal continues a week of strategic alliances for Vuzix. On Friday, the company shored up its short term financial future with a $24.8 million investment from Intel. The investment gave the chipmaker a 30 percent ownership of Vuzix, while also giving the eyewear maker the funds to carry out its growth plan.

Vuzix also recently entered a co-branding deal with Lenovo for its M100 Smart Glasses in China, as well as one with Salesforce to develop wearable enterprise tools under Salesforce Wear.

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