Apple acquires AR glasses maker Mira: a step towards affordable AR technology?

In a surprising development, Apple has acquired Mira, a maker of augmented reality (AR) glasses. Mira is known for its affordable AR glasses, which are already being used in a variety of settings, including theme parks and the U.S. military. This acquisition could indicate that Apple plans to bring its AR technology to a wider audience.

Mira’s AR technology: affordable and versatile

Mira’s AR glasses are significantly less expensive than Apple’s recently unveiled Vision Pro AR glasses, which are priced at $3,499, well above the price of other AR systems. Mira’s glasses use a clamped smartphone for projection, a technique also known from retrofit head-up displays for cars. Mira’s products are already in use, including at the Nintendo World theme park, where they are used to superimpose virtual characters and items.

The acquisition: details and speculation

Although Apple has confirmed the acquisition, the company has not provided details on the purchase price. It is known that Mira has been funded with a total of 17 million euros so far. At least 11 Mira employees are now expected to remain with Apple. Apple’s exact plans for Mira are still unclear, but there is speculation that Mira’s technology could be used to develop a more affordable and mass-market AR headset.

Outlook: The future of AR technology at Apple

Apple’s acquisition of Mira could be an important step toward affordable AR technology. With the integration of Mira’s technology, Apple could be able to create an AR headset that is both powerful and affordable. This would allow a wider audience to take advantage of AR technology. It remains to be seen how this acquisition will impact Apple’s future AR technology development.