Raxium: Google buys augmented reality startup with micro-LED technology

Google is apparently planning to further its efforts in the augmented reality headset segment. It has now announced that it has bought AR startup Raxium, which is working on micro-LED technology.

Raxium swallowed by Google

“Today we’re announcing that Google has acquired Raxium, an innovator in single panel MicroLED display technologies,” reveals Rick Osterloh, senior vice president, Devices & Services at Google in brief remarks on the Google blog.

For about five years, the tech startup had been working on AR headsets with innovative micro-LED technology, which was said to allow for much better image quality in a smaller space. With this new technology, even better, smaller and, above all, sharper displays for AR, VR and mixed reality headsets could be achieved.

Despite improved image quality, the micro-LED technology is also supposed to be significantly more energy-efficient than Super AMOLED displays, for example. With the acquisition of Raxium, Google could now further advance its ambition for its own augmented reality headset.

Will this make Google Project Iris more concrete?

According to rumors, Google is working on an AR headset with the working title “Project Iris” and is increasingly looking for new employees. “Raxium’s technical expertise in this area will play a key role as we continue to strengthen our hardware efforts,” Osterloh added.

Raxium, based in the U.S. state of California, will be integrated directly into the Google Devices & Services team, according to Google.

According to Raxium, the micro-LED technology is suitable for use in particularly small displays and definitely has the potential to revolutionize VR and AR glasses, but also tablets with a three-dimensional display, which could be particularly exciting in the medical industry.