Jump to content

Akonia Holographics

From VR & AR Wiki

Akonia Holographics was an American AR 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. [1][2] Founded in August 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).[3][1][4] Akonia Holographics was acquired by Apple Inc. in 2018, with the acquisition confirmed by Apple on August 29, 2018.[2][3][1]

Akonia Holographics
Information
Type Subsidiary
Industry Augmented Reality, Optics, Holography
Founded August 2012
Founder Ken Anderson, Mark Ayres, Fred Askham
Headquarters Longmont, Colorado, U.S.
Notable Personnel Ken Anderson (Co-Founder & CEO)
Products HoloMirror holographic display technology
Parent Apple (Since 2018)
See also: Companies

History

Akonia Holographics was founded in August 2012 by Dr. Ken Anderson (CEO), Dr. Mark Ayres (CTO), and Dr. Fred Askham (VP Materials Development).[3][5] The company emerged with roots tracing back to InPhase Technologies, another Longmont-based company focused on holographic technology, primarily for holographic data storage.[3] InPhase had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2011.[3] Akonia acquired key assets, including InPhase's extensive patent portfolio (over 200 patents by some accounts later attributed to Akonia itself) and potentially leveraged a related US Department of Energy grant to continue research into photopolymer media.[3][1][6]

Initially, Akonia focused on holographic data storage, securing an $11.6 million Series A venture capital funding round in August 2012 led by Acadia Woods Partners.[3][7][8] Later estimates suggest total funding reached approximately $19.1 million across its lifetime.[5] Facing challenges in the data storage market, the company pivoted its focus around 2015-2016 towards developing holographic displays for the burgeoning augmented reality market.[3][9][10]

Akonia actively developed its HoloMirror technology, leveraging its expertise in holographic materials and systems. The company claimed its approach could overcome common limitations in AR displays, such as narrow field of view and washed-out colors, and aimed for lower manufacturing costs.[3][1] By the time of its acquisition, Akonia held a significant portfolio of intellectual property related to holographic systems and materials.[1][7][11]

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.[3][1]

The technology involved using waveguide optics combined with volume holographic elements recorded in a proprietary layer of photopolymer plastic, which was then laminated between thin layers of glass.[3][1] This approach aimed to create lenses that were thin, lightweight, and highly transparent (>90% transmission claimed), resembling conventional eyeglasses, while being capable of displaying bright, full-color virtual images overlaid onto the real world.[3][1][4][7]

Akonia claimed its HoloMirror technology offered significant advantages over competing AR display solutions at the time:[1][12]

  • 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.[3][1] Some reports indicated Akonia was targeting a 60-degree diagonal FOV in prototypes.[13][14][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.[3][10][13]
  • 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.[1][4][13]
  • Potential for Lower Manufacturing Cost: The company asserted that its HoloMirror technology, particularly its single-layer holographic media approach, could enable AR headsets with a lower manufacturing cost compared to more complex multi-layer waveguide systems, potentially facilitating mass-market adoption.[1][12][16]

Akonia's extensive patent portfolio covered holographic systems, materials, recording processes, and specific optical element designs, such as gradient-index optics (GRIN) and "skew mirrors".[1][17] Analysis suggests the technology might be suited for use with Liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) microdisplays.[16]

Acquisition by Apple

Apple Inc. confirmed its acquisition of Akonia Holographics on August 29, 2018, following a report by Reuters.[2][10] While the exact date the deal closed and the financial terms were not disclosed, reports suggested the acquisition likely occurred earlier in 2018, as the company had become notably quiet in the preceding months.[10][11] Apple issued its standard statement regarding acquisitions of smaller companies: "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."[2][10]

The acquisition was widely seen as a significant strategic move by Apple, strengthening its capabilities and ambitions in the augmented reality space.[2][7][10][18] It 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.[3][1] Akonia's technology addressed key challenges in AR hardware development, namely creating high-quality, immersive displays within a form factor suitable for everyday wear.[1][11]

The purchase fueled intense speculation about Apple's long-rumored AR glasses or headset project, often dubbed "Apple Glasses".[12][10][13] Akonia's focus on thin, transparent lenses with wide FOV and full color aligned well with the expected requirements for such a consumer device.[3][1] The Akonia purchase followed other AR/VR-related acquisitions by Apple, such as Vrvana (mixed reality headsets) in 2017 and SensoMotoric Instruments (eye-tracking), indicating a sustained strategic investment in the underlying technologies for spatial computing devices.[10][19] Analysts viewed the Akonia acquisition as one of the clearest signals of Apple's serious intent to enter the AR hardware market.[1][2][11]

Even after the acquisition, Akonia reportedly continued to operate somewhat independently from its Longmont base for a period, with employees listing Akonia as their employer and new patent applications being filed under the Akonia name or citing Akonia work, suggesting ongoing development rooted in its technology.[16]

Legacy

Following its acquisition, Akonia Holographics ceased to exist as an independent entity, with its team, technology, and intellectual property integrated into Apple's Technology Development Group, contributing to the tech giant's research and development efforts in augmented reality and spatial computing.[3][20]

While Apple did not release AR glasses in the years immediately following the acquisition, patents filed by Apple citing Akonia's work or inventors suggest that the company's holographic display technology and expertise have influenced Apple's approach to AR display development, potentially informing aspects of future products or the technology used in devices like the Apple Vision Pro's display systems.[14][16] The acquisition represented a significant milestone in the maturation of the AR industry, highlighting the value placed on core display technologies by major players seeking to develop consumer-focused AR wearables. Akonia's work contributed to advancing the potential for thinner, lighter, and more visually compelling AR experiences.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 "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.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 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.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 "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.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Akonia Holographics 2025 Company Profile: Valuation, Investors, Acquisition". https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/64199-72. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "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.
  6. ↑ "GRANT to Akonia Holographics, LLC". USAspending.gov. 2014-02-18. https://www.usaspending.gov/award/ASST_NON_DESC0011282_8900. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "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.
  8. ↑ "Akonia Holographics - Funding, Financials, Valuation & Investors". Crunchbase. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/akonia-holographics/company_financials. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  9. ↑ "Akonia uses holography to create transparent augmented reality display". VentureBeat. 2016-12-26. https://venturebeat.com/business/akonia-uses-holography-to-create-transparent-augmented-reality-display/. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 "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.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "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.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "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.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "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.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "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.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 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.
  17. ↑ "WO2017176389A1 - Wide field-of-view holographic skew mirrors - Google Patents". https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2017176389A1/en. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "Apple Buys Augmented-Reality Display Startup Akonia Holographics". Bloomberg. 2018-08-30. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-30/apple-buys-augmented-reality-display-startup-akonia-holographics. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
Retrieved from "https://vrarwiki.com/index.php?title=Akonia_Holographics&oldid=35066"