Apple acquires AR startup Mira after launching Vision Pro Headset.
Apple confirmed the acquisition of Los Angeles-based AR startup Mira, a day after announcing its much-awaited mixed reality headset, Apple Vision Pro. Mira makes headsets for different industries, including the US military. It is unclear how much Apple paid for the acquisition, but sources familiar with the matter said that Apple’s former design chief, Jony Ive, was an advisor to Mira at one point. Apple did not disclose much about the acquisition, but in a statement to The Verge, it said: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.” There is no clarity on what the future holds for Mira after Apple’s acquisition, including whether Apple will continue the operations with Mira’s military contracts.
The newly unveiled mixed-reality headset, Apple Vision Pro, features innovations packed toward personalized virtual reality. On the other hand, Mira’s headsets have been purpose-built for industrial applications. Some of the current use cases of Mira’s headsets include steel, chemical, food manufacturing, defense, and mining services. Mira has secured military contracts, including a small agreement with the US Air Force and a $702,351 agreement with the Navy.
Mira’s AR headsets are also used by Universal Studios in Nintendo World theme parks. Mira has secured a significant contract with Nintendo World for the integration of their headsets into the Mario Kart ride at theme parks in Japan and LA’s Universal Studios.
