Apple Acquired AR Glasses Lenses Maker Akonia Holographics

According to a Reuters report, Apple acquired a startup that specializes in making "lenses" for AR glasses. Currently, the detai...

According to a Reuters report, Apple acquired a startup that specializes in making "lenses" for AR glasses. Currently, the details of the acquisition, such as the purchasing price, are still unclear. The company, called Akonia Holographics, is based in Colorado and was founded in 2012, though Apple confirmed this acquisition, they generally don't share the plans.

The original R&D project of Akonia Holographics was “Holographic Data Storage”. However, the startup then turned its focus to "displays that create augmented reality glasses." Akonia has more than 200 technology patents and received $11.6 million in financing in 2012.

Akonia said that its display technology can carry out "ultra-thin, transparent smart eyeglass lenses, making the display vivid, full-color, wide-view." They call it "world's first commercially available volume holographic reflective and waveguide optics for transparent display elements in smart glasses." 

It is not clear the price and time of Apple's acquisition of Akonia. However, the company has had little to do in the past six months, which means that Apple may have already completed the acquisition of Akonia earlier this year. Yet, rumors suggest Apple is developing AR glasses, which may be unveiled in 2019 or 2020, could this mean something?

Image Via TechCrunch