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Google is nearing the completion of a deal to Acquire Canada's AdHawk Microsystems Specializing in Eye-Tracking technology

1 cover Google smartglasses

Alphabet Inc.’s Google is reportedly nearing the completion of a deal to acquire AdHawk Microsystems Inc., a Canadian firm specializing in eye-tracking technology, according to Bloomberg News, citing sources familiar with the situation. The acquisition is part of Google’s renewed interest in headsets and smart glasses.

The proposed acquisition is valued at $115 million, which includes $15 million in future payments contingent on AdHawk meeting specific performance targets, according to sources familiar with the situation. These individuals requested anonymity due to the deal not being officially announced yet.

Despite the deal being in its final stages, there is still a chance that the acquisition could fall through as the agreement has not yet been signed. Google’s spokesperson declined to comment on the matter and there was no response from AdHawk when asked for comment.

The deal, if finalized, is expected to be completed this week. For more on this, read the full Bloomberg report. 

AdHawk’s micro-electromechanical (MEMS) eye tracker requires 1000× less data than camera-based systems to produce 10× higher sampling rates.

 A Disruptive Technology in Every Sense

Superior data quality, super low latency, minimal compute, battery efficiency, processing speed, and accuracy—the list goes on. No competitor has been able to match their complete package of important, functional attributes.

2 Eye Tracking for VR(Click on image to enlarge)

AdHawk's camera-free eye tracking also works with VR devices, such as the Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3S headsets.

In their feature-rich reference design, the minimalist rings clip onto the headset eye tubes and contain all the necessary hardware for robust, responsive eye tracking. A USB connection to the rings provides power and allows for eye tracking data to be transferred to applications running on the headset.

Their VR-based eye tracking solutions run the latest slip tolerant pipeline, and can be used in tethered or untethered mode. An easy-to-use SDK and documentation are available.

Patently Apple has also coved two recent Google patents on future smartglasses as noted below:

  • 01: Google Filed three Patents for AR Glasses with Insertable Prescription Lenses and an Integrated Port
  • 02: A new Google Patent focuses on Future AR Glasses that could be controlled by a mix of Voice Commands, Virtual Controls and more

 

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