Apple Mira Acquisition: AR Company Aims to Bring XR for Work, For Vision Pro Development?

It is now official, Mira, the AR company known for its multiple projects and partners, was recently acquired by Apple, and this happened all while the public was anticipating the AR/VR headset from Cupertino. Apple's latest acquisition centers on adding more features to its mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, which was unveiled to the world at WWDC 2023.

The plans for Mira's role in Apple's AR/VR future remain unknown, as the company made no announcements, but there are several speculations now from the industry.

Apple Mira Acquisition is Official, But Who is the AR Company?

A report from The Verge claimed that Apple closed the acquisition of Mira, a prominent company known for developing XR experiences for the workplace. The acquisition occurred before the highly anticipated unveiling of Apple's mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, which was recently revealed during the opening day of the WWDC 2023 keynote.

Mira has garnered a reputation for its groundbreaking work in AR, having designed headsets for commercial use, the United States military, and other major companies. Notably, the company played a crucial role in developing virtual reality (VR) headsets utilized in the iconic Mario Kart ride at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios LA, part of the highly popular Super Nintendo World.

On the other hand, Mira's vision is to bring "scalable augmented reality hardware" and software that would match it.

What Do Apple and Mira Aim to Bring?

By acquiring Mira, Apple is making a strategic move to bolster its expertise and capabilities in the AR space. As per 9to5 Mac, integrating Mira's technologies and talent will likely enable Apple to revolutionize the way XR experiences are incorporated into the workplace and consumer applications.

While either company does not yet unveil any plans for its new direction towards XR, the public may expect its features to appear in current and future experiences from Apple, particularly with the Vision Pro.

It remains unknown if Mira has already lent its hand in adding features or experiences to the Vision Pro, with that to be seen once its launches next year.

Apple's Vision Pro

Apple's Vision Pro headset is expected to be a game-changer in the mixed-reality domain, promising users an unparalleled immersive experience.

This collaboration is expected to result in more refined XR experiences that can be seamlessly integrated into professional settings, with initial rumors of the Apple headset meant for developers and the like.

While specific details of the acquisition remain undisclosed, industry experts anticipate that Apple's acquisition of Mira will lead to a new era of workplace XR experiences. Apple's track record of successfully integrating acquisitions, coupled with Mira's exceptional reputation and extensive client base, lays a solid foundation for the collaboration's success.

The partnership between these two technology powerhouses has the potential to reshape the future of AR, with profound implications for various sectors, including gaming, enterprise, and entertainment.