Google Poised to Acquire Eye-Tracking Startup AdHawk Microsystems for $115 Million
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Google reportedly negotiating $115M deal for eye-tracking startup AdHawk Microsystems - SiliconANGLE
Google reportedly negotiating $115M deal for eye-tracking startup AdHawk Microsystems Google LLC is reportedly in final talks to acquire AdHawk Microsystems Inc., a maker of eye-tracking technology, for $115 million. According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who references "people who asked not to
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Google is getting serious about smart glasses, again
Table of Contents Table of Contents Why AdHawk is an apt target? Google isn't hiding its ambitions Google kicked off the smart glasses trend over a decade ago. Unfortunately, the ambitious idea failed to take off back then. Some say it was a little ahead of its time, while others couldn't look
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It's looking more likely that Google will once again release smart glasses
AdHawk has created chips, hardware, and software to enable advanced eye tracking. It offers this tech to other manufacturers to allow them to create devices that can determine where a user is looking. AdHawk's USP is its low-power eye-tracking component, which can analyze a user's corneas and
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Google Is Poised to Acquire Eye-Tracking Startup for Future Glasses
AdHawk has created eye-tracking chips, hardware and software Alphabet's Google is in final talks to acquire AdHawk Microsystems, a maker of eye-tracking technology, part of a renewed push into headsets and smart glasses. The technology giant intends to buy the Canadian startup for $115 million
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Google is poised to acquire eye-tracking startup for future glasses
Alphabet Inc.'s Google is in final talks to acquire AdHawk Microsystems Inc., a maker of eye-tracking technology, part of a renewed push into headsets and smart glasses. The technology giant intends to buy the Canadian startup for US$115 million, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
[6]
Google acquires AdHawk: Is Project Astra smart glasses closer than we think?
Google is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Canadian startup AdHawk Microsystems for $115 million, as part of its renewed efforts to enter the smart glasses market, according to Bloomberg. The deal, which includes $15 million contingent on performance targets, is expected to be
[7]
Google just acquired this eye tracking company -- hinting at the return of Google glasses
While there's been plenty of other attempts, Google is the true pioneer in the space of smart glasses, though the much maligned Google Glass quickly came and went, even if you ignore the "enterprise" version that survived until 2023. However, over the last year, Google has seemingly set itself up
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Google is in final negotiations to acquire AdHawk Microsystems, a Canadian eye-tracking technology startup, for $115 million. This move signals Google's renewed interest in smart glasses and AR/VR technology.
Google's Strategic Move in Eye-Tracking Technology
Google is reportedly in the final stages of acquiring AdHawk Microsystems, a Canadian eye-tracking technology startup, for $115 million. This deal, expected to close this week, includes a $15 million performance-based payout
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. The acquisition signals Google's renewed interest in the smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) market, following its earlier venture with Google Glass.AdHawk Microsystems: A Leader in Eye-Tracking Innovation
Founded in 2017, AdHawk Microsystems has developed cutting-edge eye-tracking technology that eliminates the need for traditional cameras. Their proprietary micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) eye tracker offers:
- Wireless tracking at 250 Hz and tethered tracking at 500 Hz
- Less than 4 ms latency
- Approximately 1-degree error
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AdHawk's full-stack approach covers custom silicon design, cloud-based analytics, and turnkey integration workflows. The company has also produced MindLink glasses for researchers and clinicians
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.Google's Renewed Focus on AR and VR
This acquisition aligns with Google's recent initiatives in the AR/VR space:
- Introduction of Android XR, a new operating system for VR and AR devices, in December 2024
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- Acquisition of parts of HTC Corp. Vive's engineering team in January 2025
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- Demonstration of Project Astra, an AI-powered smart glasses concept, at I/O 2024
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Strategic Implications for Google
The AdHawk acquisition could provide Google with several advantages:
- Advanced eye-tracking technology for future AR/VR devices
- Low-power components crucial for consumer-grade smart glasses
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- Integration with Google's AI initiatives, including the Gemini AI model
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Market Context and Competition
The smart glasses and AR/VR market is becoming increasingly competitive:
- Apple's Vision Pro and Meta's smart glasses collaborations with Ray-Ban
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- Samsung's upcoming Moohan headset, developed in partnership with Google
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- Emerging players like Solos, RayNeo, and TCL offering various smart glasses products
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Future Outlook
If the deal goes through, AdHawk's team is expected to join Google's Android XR team within the Platforms organization
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. This acquisition, combined with Google's recent purchase of a portion of HTC's XR division, demonstrates the company's commitment to developing advanced AR/VR technologies and potentially launching new smart glasses products in the near future.References
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