Google Acquires Gecko Design for Google X Projects

Google has acquired mechanical engineering and industrial design firm Gecko Design, in an attempt to bring further design experience to the Google X team, and help bolster some of their projects for the market.

Gecko Design was first started in 1996, and since then the San Gatos, California based company has worked with a number of high profile companies, including Dell, HP, and Herman Miller. Why is this most exciting to wearables fans you ask? Gecko also did all of the mechanical design behind the original tracker that FitBit debuted more than 6 years ago. They were also tapped by Aliphe in Fall of 2006 to design and develop the first Jawbone headsets. Many young startups such as FitBit outsource the mechanical design work out to companies such as Gecko, so when there were rumors that Google was shopping around for a wearable device company for their Google X team, it comes as little surprise that they went straight to the source.

Google X, the team behind some of Google’s more futuristic and niche projects, has grown quite rapidly recently, with much press attention being focused around its now famous Google Glass project. In addition to the smart eyewear, the team has its driverless car program, the internet connectivity project Loon, as well as their smart contact lens that detects glucose levels for diabetes patients.

While there are not currently any details regarding the deal or projects the Gecko team will be placed on, they do seem to be excited about the move. Founder and President Jacques L. Gagne posted the following to their homepage:

“This is an incredible opportunity for everyone at Gecko. We are very excited and honored to join Google(x) and work on a variety of cutting edge projects.”

Here’s to hoping Google debuts more groundbreaking, and well designed, wearables!

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