Apple Acquires Mixed Reality Headset Startup Vrvana for $30M
Apple has acquired Vrvana, a Montreal-based startup known for its Totem headset, for approximately $30 million. This acquisition, reported by TechCrunch, indicates Apple’s growing commitment to augmented reality (AR) technology and its potential role in Apple’s planned 2020 AR headset.
Vrvana’s Totem headset, while unreleased, received positive reviews for its unique blend of AR and virtual reality (VR) technologies. The headset utilized a system of cameras for 6DoF tracking and offered features like overlaying full-color animations onto the real world. This approach differs from competitors like Microsoft’s HoloLens.
The acquisition underscores Apple’s focus on enterprise applications for AR technology, aligning with Apple’s stated aims and partnerships with companies like IBM, Cisco and SAP. This move follows previous comments by Apple CEO Tim Cook, expressing skepticism about the current state of AR/VR hardware readiness but also highlighting the company’s sustained interest in the AR space through software initiatives (ARKit) and camera advancements.
While Vrvana’s funding history was modest (less than $2 million raised), the acquisition highlights Apple’s strategic investment in developing core AR/VR hardware technology.
