Atari Announces Plans to Develop Smart Home Products

Video game pioneer Atari to begin developing smart home products this year

SIGFOX: Make Things Come Alive

When Atari, Inc. released the gaming classic Pong in November 1972, it’s likely few — if any — within the company expected it to dabble in something called the Internet of Things some 44 years later. Contrary to the companywide feeling those many decades ago, Atari has just announced that it’s partnered with IoT communication service SigFox to produce a wide array of connected devices. According to a published press release, Sigfox’s interest in partnering with Atari is due to the company’s intent on basing the design of the new line of devices solely on Atari’s iconic branding.

Based in France, SigFox has long worked on building a sustainable IoT foundation by developing reliable, low-cost solutions for connected devices. Though it’s already established in 18 countries and boasts more than 7 million registered devices, the company is looking to Atari to increase recognition among new and existing customers. An exact list of upcoming devices has not yet been published. The press release mentioned the partnership would cover many new Atari products, be it of the simple or highly sophisticated variety.

Stefano Tinti/123RF

“Atari, which has disruption rooted in their DNA, was quick to envision the transformative role that the Internet of Things can play in interactive entertainment,” said SigFox CEO Ludovic Le Moan. “Our network bridges the virtual and physical worlds simply, reliably, and inexpensively, and this collaboration will launch a new dimension to gaming, while supporting features that are limited only by the imagination.”

Initially, the collaborating teams say the product line will likely include devices within the sectors of home, pets, lifestyle, and safety. Utilizing SigFox’s already established global network, the lineup also figures to benefit from the company’s other high-quality features such as long battery lives and the ability for a device to successfully pair without requiring a local internet connection. In essence, once a user installs the battery, the device connects automatically.

“SigFox is transforming the way people are connecting to their objects in a simple and intuitive way,” said Atari CEO Fred Chesnais. “By partnering together and using SigFox’s dedicated IoT connectivity, we are going to create amazing products with our brand. We look forward to collaboration with SigFox and releasing new products to the mass market on a global scale.”

Moving forward, the companies have announced that production on the line will begin later this year while promising additional info in the months to follow.

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