Google’s Magic Leap forward
Google has formed a partnership with AR hardware specialist, Magic Leap, to further its advancement into AR
Google and Magic Leap have formed a strategic partnership to explore the possibilities of Augmented Reality (AR).
The partnership details
Details of the deal aren’t known, but it’s expected that the collaboration will see Magic Leap–who is famous for its pioneering efforts in AR optics and device production–use Google’s technology to build on its expertise in developing advanced AR devices and bring them to a wider audience.
For Google, the partnership is a chance to regain a foothold in the world of AR, after a failed attempt with Google Glass (its voice and action-activated smart glasses) which was discontinued after poor reviews. It also aligns with Project Astra, which it revealed during the I/O conference by demonstrating a pair of glasses that could interact with an AI chatbot.
“We look forward to bringing together Magic Leap’s leadership in optics and manufacturing with our technologies to bring a wider range of immersive experiences to market. By combining efforts, we can foster the future of the XR [Extended Reality] ecosystem with unique and innovative product offerings.” – Shahram Izadi, VP of AR/XR at Google
What could the partnership create?
The possibilities are endless, but the design and development of AR glasses could change industries for good. For example, architects could use them to design buildings and landscapes more efficiently: They could overlay blueprints onto real-life landscapes, in real-time, and make on-the-spot, accurate modifications to eliminate errors. Schools and universities could use them to bring truly immersive experiences to students to help them learn and collaborate with students, globally.