Apple pushes AR by buying holographic smart glass startup
The startup, Akonia Holographics (Longmont, CO), was founded in 2012 by senior holography scientists with an initial focus on holographic data storage. The company subsequently shifted its efforts to creating displays for AR glasses, and claims its HoloMirror technology “will enable headsets that are thin, transparent, and light-weight, while achieving high FOV with low manufacturing cost.”
The company says it has a portfolio of more than 200 patents related to holographic systems and materials. Its products currently include what are claimed to be world’s first commercially available volume holographic reflective and waveguide optics for transparent display elements in smart glasses.
Apple is reportedly working on developing AR glasses that could, says Bloomberg, be available by 2020. Last year, Apple launched AR applications for its iPhones and iPads along with an ARKit for developers, and the company’s CEO, Tim Cook, has said “augmented reality is going to change everything.”
Apple’s purchase price and date of the Akonia acquisition was not available. Akonia had raised $11.6 million in seed funding in 2012 and was “actively” seeking additional funding for a Series A investment, according to its website.
Apple Augmented Reality
Akonia Holographics
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