Apple Acquires Akonia Holographics

Apple has acquired Akonia Holographics, a startup focused on making lenses for augmented reality glasses, reports Reuters.

The company was founded in August of 2012 to develop advanced optical technologies based on holography. It holds an expansive technology portfolio including prototyping and media manufacturing equipment, as well as, over 200 patents pertaining to holographic systems and materials.

Akonia Holographics is pioneering the world’s first commercially available volume holographic reflective and waveguide optics for transparent display elements in smart glasses. Volume holography offers a unique combination of performance, transparency and low cost that will revolutionize the smart glass display industry. With its ultra-clear, full-color performance, Akonia’s HoloMirrorTM technology enables the thinnest, lightest head worn displays in the world. Looking forward, Akonia has already defined the technology required to achieve future improvements including even greater field-of-view (FOV) and light efficiency.


Apple will presumably use the company's technology for its widely rumored augmented-reality headset that could ship as early as 2020. Apple's headset will purportedly have its own display and run on a new chip and operating system. More details can be found here.

It's unclear how much Apple paid for Akonia Holographics. The company raised $11.6 million in seed funding in 2012. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

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