PORTLAND — Intel made the latest in a series of acquisitions Monday as the company works to establish new markets for its chips beyond the fading PC business.
Intel bought a Silicon Valley chipmaker called Movidius, whose technology helps computers process what cameras capture. By pairing Movidius’ chips with Intel’s own RealSense 3D cameras, Intel said it could help drones navigate or improve the capabilities of virtual reality gear.
“Upon integration, computer vision enables navigation and mapping, collision avoidance, tracking, object recognition, inspection analytics and more — capabilities that are extremely compelling in emerging markets,” Intel new technology vice president Josh Walden wrote in a blog post announcing the deal.
With the PC market in long-term decline, Intel wants to be at the forefront of emerging technologies to create new markets for its microprocessors. In March it bought an Israeli sports camera company called Replay Technologies, and last month it bought a San Diego machine learning startup called Nervana.
Intel didn’t disclose terms of Monday’s deal. Movidius’ current customers include Wilsonville, Ore., thermal-imaging company Flir.
