Apple Acquires Motion Capture Firm iKinema, Adding Another Piece to Its Augmented Reality Toolbox

AR Business, Investments & Executive Moves

A table displaying five action figures and a printed sheet with a QR code or similar design.

Apple remains shrouded in mystery while continuing to sweep up small companies ahead of a rumored augmented reality headset launch.

On Friday, Apple confirmed the acquisition of a UK-based firm called iKinema, which specializes in 3D motion captures of human figures.

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Although Apple's acknowledgment of the acquisition was reported by the Financial Times, it was MacRumors that initially noticed updates to UK regulatory filings linking iKinema to Apple.

It's unclear what Apple may do with the company, but the addition will certainly help the company to its grow immersive computing arsenal. In an unrelated development, months ago, Apple revealed that its ARKit 3 would support motion capture, giving developers using the feature the power to easily place virtual content behind and in front of people.

Apple joins several large companies experimenting with similar features, such as gaming giant Niantic, which has experimented with camera tracking for games, and Microsoft, which has in the past enabled motion capture via its Kinect accessory to the Xbox console, letting cameras track gamers' body movements to control live game action.

Cover image by IKinema

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