Akonia Holographics
| Akonia Holographics | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Type | Subsidiary (Acqui-hired)[1] |
| Industry | Augmented Reality, Optics, Holography[1] |
| Founded | August 2012[2] |
| Founder | Ken Anderson, Mark Ayres, Fred Askham[2][1] |
| Headquarters | Longmont, Colorado, U.S.[2][3][4] |
| Notable Personnel | Ken Anderson (Co-Founder & CEO)[2][1][5], Mark Ayres (Co-Founder & CTO)[2][6], Fred Askham (Co-Founder & VP Materials Development)[2][6] |
| Products | HoloMirror holographic display technology[2][7] |
| Parent | Apple Inc. (Since 2018)[2][7] |
Akonia Holographics LLC was an American startup company based in Longmont, Colorado that specialized in developing advanced optical systems and materials for holography, particularly focusing on display technology for augmented reality (AR) glasses. [7][8] Founded in 2012, the company developed a proprietary technology called HoloMirror aiming to produce thin, transparent smart glass lenses capable of displaying vibrant, full-color images with a wide field of view (FOV).[2][7][3] Akonia Holographics was acquired by Apple Inc. in August 2018.[2][7][8]
History
Akonia Holographics was founded in August 2012 by Dr. Ken Anderson (CEO), Mark Ayres (CTO), and Fred Askham (VP Materials Development).[2][6] The company emerged with roots tracing back to InPhase Technologies, another company focused on holographic technology, primarily for holographic data storage.[2] InPhase had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2011, and Akonia acquired some of its assets and patents in November 2012.[2]
Initially, Akonia also focused on holographic data storage, securing an $11.6 million Series A venture capital funding round in August 2012, partly intended for this purpose.[2][9][10] Later estimates suggest total funding reached around $19.1 million.[1] However, the company pivoted its focus towards developing holographic displays for the emerging augmented reality market.[2][11]
Prior to its acquisition, Akonia claimed to possess over 200 patents related to holographic systems and materials.[7][9][12] The company actively developed its HoloMirror technology, aiming to overcome common limitations in AR displays, such as narrow field of view and washed-out colors.[2]
In August 2018, Apple Inc. confirmed its acquisition of Akonia Holographics.[2][7] While the exact date and terms were not disclosed, reports suggested the acquisition likely occurred in the first half of 2018, as the company had become notably quiet in the preceding months.[11][12] Apple issued its standard statement regarding acquisitions of smaller companies: "Apple buys smaller companies from time to time, and we generally don't discuss our purpose or plans."[8][11]
Even after the acquisition, Akonia reportedly continued to operate somewhat independently for a period, with employees listing Akonia as their employer on platforms like LinkedIn and new patent applications being filed under the Akonia name.[13]
Technology
Akonia Holographics focused on developing advanced optical technologies using holography. Its core product was the HoloMirror display technology, designed specifically for augmented reality smart glasses.[2][7]
The technology involved using waveguide optics combined with holographic elements recorded in a layer of photopolymer plastic sandwiched between layers of glass.[2] This approach aimed to create lenses that were thin, lightweight, and transparent, resembling conventional eyeglasses, while being capable of displaying bright, full-color virtual images overlaid onto the real world.[2][7][3]
Akonia claimed its HoloMirror technology offered significant advantages over competing AR display solutions at the time:[7][14]
- Wide Field of View (FOV): The technology was designed to provide a significantly wider FOV compared to many contemporary AR headsets, which often suffered from a "letterbox" effect.[2][7] Some reports indicated Akonia was targeting a 60-degree FOV as early as 2016-2017.[15][16] A later Apple patent application, believed to be an evolution of Akonia's work, described a system potentially capable of a 120-degree horizontal FOV using peripheral holographic projectors.[15]
- Full-Color, Vibrant Images: Akonia aimed to produce displays with "ultra-clear, full-color performance," addressing issues of washed-out or low-brightness images seen in some AR displays.[2][11][17]
- Thin and Lightweight Form Factor: The holographic approach allowed for the optics to be integrated into thin lenses, crucial for creating consumer-friendly AR glasses that are comfortable to wear.[7][3][17]
- Low Manufacturing Cost: The company asserted that its HoloMirror technology could enable AR headsets with a low manufacturing cost, potentially facilitating mass-market adoption.[7][14]
Akonia's extensive patent portfolio covered holographic systems, materials, and specific optical element designs, such as gradient-index optics (GRIN) and "skew mirrors".[7][18] Some later patents filed post-acquisition (under the Akonia name or citing Akonia work) explored concepts like foveated rendering displays using MEMS scanning mirrors, laser projectors, and holographic combiners, potentially pointing towards future directions derived from Akonia's foundational technology.[15][13] Analysis suggests the technology might be suited for use with Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) microdisplays.[13]
Acquisition by Apple
Apple's acquisition of Akonia Holographics in August 2018 was widely seen as a significant move strengthening Apple's capabilities and ambitions in the augmented reality space.[8][9][11][19] The acquisition provided Apple with valuable intellectual property (IP), specialized expertise in holographic optics and materials, and a team experienced in developing core components for AR headsets.[2][7]
Akonia's technology addressed key challenges in AR hardware development, namely creating high-quality, immersive displays within a form factor suitable for everyday wear.[7][12] The acquisition fueled speculation about Apple's long-rumored AR glasses or headset project, often dubbed "Apple Glasses".[14][11][17] Akonia's focus on thin, transparent lenses with wide FOV and full color aligned well with the expected requirements for such a consumer device.[2][7]
The Akonia purchase followed other AR/VR-related acquisitions by Apple, such as Vrvana in 2017 (mixed reality headsets) and SensoMotoric Instruments (eye-tracking), indicating a sustained strategic investment in the underlying technologies for spatial computing devices.[11][20] Analysts viewed the Akonia acquisition as one of the clearest signals of Apple's serious intent to enter the AR hardware market.[7][8][12]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Akonia Holographics - 2025 Company Profile, Funding & Competitors - Tracxn". 2025-03-28. https://tracxn.com/d/companies/akonia-holographics/__Lz36qI50qTf7QyHw-o2-244q9sL7qQ3-0Q4D6oO9-8Q4Y6l. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 "Akonia Holographics gets bitten by Apple and moves into paradise - Blocks and Files". 2018-08-30. https://blocksandfiles.com/2018/08/30/akonia-holographics-gets-bitten-by-apple-and-moves-into-paradise/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Akonia Holographics 2025 Company Profile: Valuation, Investors, Acquisition". https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/64199-72. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ "Akonia Holographics's Competitors, Revenue, Number of Employees, Funding, Acquisitions & News - Owler Company Profile". https://www.owler.com/company/akonia. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ "Ken Anderson - Boulder Startup Week - Sched". https://boulderstartupweek2016.sched.com/speaker/ken_anderson.1ve44j0c. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Akonia Holographics - 2025 Founders and Board of Directors - Tracxn". https://tracxn.com/d/companies/akonia-holographics/__Lz36qI50qTf7QyHw-o2-244q9sL7qQ3-0Q4D6oO9-8Q4Y6l/founders-board-members. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 "Apple Acquires Akonia Holographics, Inventors of Advanced Optical Technologies based on Holography for AR Headsets". 2018-08-30. https://www.patentlyapple.com/2018/08/apple-acquires-akonia-holographics-inventors-of-advanced-optical-technologies-based-on-holography-for-ar-headsets.html. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Stephen Nellis (2018-08-29). "Exclusive: Apple acquires firm that makes lenses for AR glasses". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-akonia-holographics-exclusive/exclusive-apple-acquires-firm-that-makes-lenses-for-ar-glasses-idUSKCN1LF1YQ. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Apple buys AR lens startup Akonia Holographics - Marketing Dive". 2018-08-31. https://www.marketingdive.com/news/apple-buys-ar-lens-startup-akonia-holographics/531252/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ "Akonia Holographics - Funding, Financials, Valuation & Investors". Crunchbase. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/akonia-holographics/company_financials. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 "Apple Purchased Akonia Holographics, a Company That Makes Lenses for AR Glasses". MacRumors. 2018-08-29. https://www.macrumors.com/2018/08/29/apple-purchased-akonia-holographics/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "Apple Buys Maker of Augmented Reality Lenses - Investopedia". 2018-08-30. https://www.investopedia.com/news/apple-buys-maker-augmented-reality-lenses/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Karl Guttag (2020-05-22). "Analyzing Apple Glass Leak (Part 2) – Akonia Waveguide with an LCOS MicroDisplay". https://www.kguttag.com/2020/05/22/analyzing-apple-glass-leak-part-2-akonia-waveguide-with-an-lcos-microdisplay/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Apple glasses? Apple buys Akonia Holographics, AR headset rumors return". 2018-08-30. https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-glasses-apple-buys-akonia-holographics-ar-headset-rumors-return/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "Apple Patent Filing Reveals Wide Field Of View Foveated AR Display Concept - UploadVR". 2019-09-23. https://www.uploadvr.com/apple-patent-wide-fov-foveated-ar/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ "Apple Acquires AR Optics Startup Akonia Holographics – Road to VR". 2018-08-30. https://www.roadtovr.com/apple-acquires-ar-optics-startup-akonia-holographics/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Apple buys AR headset lens maker Akonia Holographics, fuels 'Apple Glasses' rumors". AppleInsider. 2018-08-30. https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/08/29/apple-buys-ar-headset-lens-maker-akonia-holographics-fuels-apple-glasses-rumors. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ "WO2017176389A1 - Wide field-of-view holographic skew mirrors - Google Patents". https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2017176389A1/en. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ "Apple acquires Akonia to feed AR ambitions - Retail Dive". 2018-08-30. https://www.retaildive.com/news/apple-acquires-akonia-to-feed-ar-ambitions/531146/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ↑ "Report: Apple has secretly acquired AI-based visual effects startup Spektral for $30M". SiliconAngle. 2018-10-10. https://siliconangle.com/2018/10/10/report-apple-secretly-acquired-ai-based-visual-effects-startup-spektral-30m/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.