Google's latest attempt at smart glasses might finally come to life (maybe)

Google is no stranger to smart glasses, but in the last few years, it seems that Apple and Meta have taken the only significant steps towards a proper AR/XR experience. Over a decade ago, Google was one of the first companies to bring a tangible concept to the masses, but we’ve all been waiting for a second iteration. Maybe now is the right time?

According to Bloomberg, Google is reportedly sealing a $115 million deal to buy AdHawk Microsystems, a Canadian startup specializing in low-power eye-tracking technology. The acquisition marks Google’s fresh interest in the augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) space, and more precisely, in developing smart glasses.

Why AdHawk Microsystems?

AdHawk Microsystems has developed advanced eye-tracking technology to scan users’ corneas and pupils better than existing solutions. Their hardware and software enable accurate tracking with low power consumption, an essential factor for wearable devices like smart glasses. The company’s MindLink glasses are the perfect example of this technology’s real-world application.

Acquiring AdHawk’s technology would significantly enhance Google’s Android XR platform, which will power extended reality devices such as headsets and smart glasses. The acquisition is part of Google’s overall strategy to reboot its AR/VR initiatives, building on past experiments such as Google Glass. Google has also partnered with Samsung on “Project Moohan,” a mixed-reality headset scheduled for 2025.

The addition of AdHawk’s eye-tracking functionality will provide for richer user experiences through more intuitive interactions and reduced power consumption in upcoming AR/VR products. The shift positions Google better to compete in the wearables space, which has seen renewed growth with the release of Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.

While Google has yet to officially announce the acquisition, the potential merger of AdHawk’s technology is a sign that the company is serious about creating its AR/VR hardware and software. The purchase would be a precursor to the release of new smart glasses in the near term, a significant step for Google’s efforts to enter the arena of extended reality.