Intel to shut down its NDG division, marks a retreat from wearables

In the latest news enthralling the smart & sustainable industry players, the tech behemoth Intel’s foray into the wearable devices market has taken a blow in the wake of the closure of the NDG. The New Devices Group incidentally has worked for the development of Vaunt smart glasses – the company’s augmented reality glasses and other consumer products. The chip giant will be throwing in the towel on its new devices group, resulting into the layoffs of 200 employees it had earlier this year.

According to reports, the wearable and augmented reality division, established in 2013, produced smart glasses and fitness trackers for Intel. The company revealed that with its decision to defer from the wearable devices market, it will further concentrate on delivering servers, chips for PCs, and other hardware simultaneously looking at advanced emerging technologies.

An Intel spokesperson reported that the company is continuously working on integrating new technologies and experiences, however, not all of these are developed and commercialized. The Superlight project is an apt example where the company has built truly differentiated and consumer driven augmented reality glasses, added the spokesperson. Experts deem that the company aims to take a very disciplined approach as it keep on exploring and inventing new technologies, requiring tough choices as and when the dynamics of the smart and sustainable industry undergo a transformation.

For the record, the Superlight project is an inside code name for Vaunt smart glasses that the company unveiled earlier this year. The product however had certain inadequacies, claimed authentic reports.

Speaking on the ongoing controversy, Intel denied to be stepping back from the wearable devices market. The company in fact proclaimed that it has several products in line that underpins its advances in wearable technology including the Oakley Radar Pace smart eyewear and TAG Heuer Connected watch.