US AR company Magic Leap acquires a 3D imaging company but has not yet launched an AR helmet

according to the latest news from foreign media, US augmented reality startup Magic Leap has acquired an European company engaged in 3D imaging, which may be used to enhance the recognition and perception of the surrounding space by augmented reality helmets.

original title: Magic Leap, caught in doubt, acquired an European 3D imaging company

American augmented reality startup Magic Leap, which once shocked the outside world with DEMO videos, is now facing a whirlpool of public opinion and accused of deceiving the media and investors. According to the latest news from foreign media, the company recently acquired an European company engaged in 3D imaging, which may be used for augmented reality helmets to identify and perceive the surrounding space.

so far, Magic Leap has received $1.4 billion in venture capital from Google, Alibaba and other well-known companies, but oddly enough, the company has not yet released a prototype of an augmented reality helmet, and the industry has questioned the company's real technical capabilities.

according to US science and technology media reports, Magic Leap recently acquired the 3D imaging division of European and Swiss computer vision recognition company Dacuda for an unknown amount of money.

Dacuda's business focus is to develop algorithms for all camera-equipped devices to capture 2D and 3D real-time images, and the company's goal is to make 3D content as easy as 2D video.

Doduda confirmed the deal. AlexanderIlic, one of the company's founders, is said to have joined Magic Leap to lead its new Swiss branch.

according to analysis, the acquired technology may be used for Magic Leap augmented reality helmets to identify the surrounding environment in the future. Consumers have seen from Microsoft's HoloLens technology that the system needs to accurately identify the surrounding environment and stack relevant virtual application information to present a richer world, which is the biggest feature of augmented reality.

it is reported that this is the second acquisition in the history of Magic Leap, which also acquired Israeli cyber security company Northbit last year.

Magic Leap is currently facing great pressure of public opinion. According to the previous disclosure of the US media, its product effect on the outside world is actually only the special effects produced by video companies, and the actual technical level is far apart. In addition, due to the difficulties encountered in light field technology, the company's equipment is too large to reach the commercial level.

A clumsy-looking prototype of the company's augmented reality helmet was recently exposed online, but Magic Leap executives explained that it was not a prototype, but just a research and development tool for data collection.

it is reported that Magic Leap is preparing to hold a board meeting in the near future, and the company is working overtime to develop a prototype device that can be presented to investors.

according to sources, Magic Leap lags two years behind Microsoft in augmented reality technology development, and its product experience is not as good as Microsoft's. Foreign media commented that if Magic Leap fails to develop products, it will bring great embarrassment to investors such as Google.

in the videos released by Magic Leap, people see magnificent effects, such as the lifelike appearance of a whale in a gym or an elephant in the palm of a child's hand. These effects far exaggerate the company's technical capabilities.

after Microsoft's initial success, Apple has also entered the field of enhanced display. Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that Apple had invested in AR, but he did not disclose what kind of device he was developing. Many sources say Apple may launch an augmented reality helmet this year or next. Cook also said recently that augmented reality is not a stand-alone device, but a core technology that can be integrated into other products.

according to Apple's style, the company will not rush to be a technology pioneer and launch rough products with a poor user experience, which will certainly provide consumers with a smoother experience, so Apple fans may have to wait patiently to see augmented reality products.

Edit: nancy