Apple buys AR headset startup Mira

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Mira headsets have been used in different industries, the military and in the Mario Kart ride at Super Nintendo World.
Mira headsets have been used in different industries, the military and in the Mario Kart ride at Super Nintendo World.
Photo: Mira

Just a day after Apple unveiled its Vision Pro AR/VR headset at WWDC23, news came along Tuesday that the company acquired Los Angeles-based AR headset startup Mira.

Mira makes headsets for other companies — notably Super Nintendo World theme parks — and holds contracts with the U.S. military.

Apple acquires AR headset startup Mira for undisclosed sum

News of the Mira acquisition came Tuesday, just a day after Apple finally unveiled its Vision Pro headset and “spatial” computing platform. It comes with a whopping $3,499 price tag, but that might not be a bad deal.

Citing a post from Mira CEO Ben Taft’s private Instagram account, The Verge first reported the news of the acquisition and confirmed it with Apple.

Some details remain obscure, like how much Cupertino paid for Mira, which has raised $17 million in funding so far, the publication said.

But one interesting tidbit in the mix is that former Apple design head Jony Ive advised Mira at some point. However, no details on that have emerged yet.

11 or more Mira employees coming to Apple

Taft’s Instagram post, displaying employee badges, noted at least 11 Mira employees will go to Apple in the acquisition.

“Excited for Mira’s next chapter, at Apple :),” Taft’s caption said. “7 year journey from dorm room to acquisition.”

Apple responded to The Verge‘s queries in what the publication called typical fashion: “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”

What Mira may continue to do with Apple

“Mira builds the most scalable augmented reality hardware + software solutions in the market-enabling frontline workforces with communication tools and information when they need it most,” states the startup’s website.

It’s known for providing headsets for the Mario Kart ride at Super Nintendo World theme parks in Osaka, Japan, and Los Angeles (at Universal Studios).

Mira also holds military contracts. They include a “small agreement” with the U.S. Air Force (some pilots wear Mira’s Prism Pro headsets with heads-up displays) and a $702,351 deal with the U.S. Navy, The Verge said it discerned from government records and press releases.

The publication speculated that Mira’s military work will not continue under Apple.

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