Apple has acquired a startup based in Los Angeles, United States, called Mira. This startup specializes in creating augmented reality headsets for various companies and the US military.
The acquisition was revealed through a post on Mira CEO Ben Taft's Instagram account, and later confirmed by Apple, as quoted by Metis Media from The Verge on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
The acquisition came just one day after Apple unveiled the Vision Pro, a mixed reality headset priced at $3,499. Apple categorizes this headset as its latest spatial computing platform.
 |
| Source: Mira |
The amount of money Apple spent to acquire Mira is unknown. However, Mira has received funding of $17 million so far. Joni Ive, former head of design at Apple, once served as an advisor to the startup.
Apple's statement regarding this acquisition is typical and similar to their statements when acquiring other companies. "Apple acquires smaller technology companies from time to time and, generally, we do not disclose our purpose or plans," said an Apple spokesperson.
It is also unclear whether Apple will continue Mira's existing contracts with other parties. The same goes for their contracts with the US military. However, considering Apple's track record, it is unlikely that the contract with the US military will be continued.
One of the contracts in question is Mira's collaboration with the US Air Force and Navy, worth $702,351. In this contract, Mira supplies its Prism Pro headsets to pilots at Travis Air Force Base, which are used to display equipment usage instructions.
One significant contract currently being pursued by Mira is with Nintendo World, involving the use of their AR headsets in the Mario Kart attraction at the Nintendo World theme park in Japan and Los Angeles.
The Mira headsets are used to display virtual characters and various items to users while they are playing inside the Nintendo World attraction.
So far, Apple has already brought on at least 11 Mira employees as part of the acquisition. "Excited for the next stage at Apple :)" wrote Taft in the Instagram post.