iKinema, a UK-based motion capture firm, joins Apple's list of latest purchases, possibly for its augmented reality technology. The Cupertino company confirmed the acquisition late last week.
iKinema Acquisition
Apple confirmed the iKinema acquisition to Financial Times, though only through a generic statement it usually releases when purchasing a company:
"Apple buys smaller companies from time to time, and we generally don't discuss our purpose or plans," the company said.
Apple did not give any further information about the acquisition. While the statement is pretty straightforward, this recent purchase will most likely be used to strengthen the company's augmented reality offerings.
iKinema is a visual effects company known for its "full-body" motion-capture technology. Basically, the firm's tech can track a person's movement and turn them into animated footages. Its client base includes tech firms, film studios, and video game developers. Among them are Microsoft, Nvidia, Tencent, Fox, Disney, Epic Games, and Sony.
iKinema's motion-capture tech was also used in top-grossing films like Blade Runner: 2049 and Thor: Ragnarok. The company worked on VR games as well, including Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire.
Strengthening Apple's AR Technology
Apple has been making an effort to improve its AR technology as evidenced in its previous acquisitions of companies and start-ups involving AR and 3D animation, which include FlyBy Media, Metaio, and Emotient. Zurich-based start-up FaceShift, which Apple acquired in 2015, was used in Animojis to transform a user's face into animated characters such as robots, aliens, and cats.
The iKinema acquisition points to Apple's attempt to make advancements in the AR field, as well as improve its gaming features, Animojis, and Memojis. iKinema's tech could also be used on a headset Apple is working on, which will reportedly offer Stereo AR experience.
Just this year, Tim Cook said Apple has already acquired around 20 to 25 companies in just a span of six months.
