As the battle for virtual reality intensifies, Google – like other well-known companies – is taking a big gamble by investing in a little-known headset maker called Magic Leap.
The company has invested $542 million in a startup called Magic Leap, which hopes to eventually replace computer and smartphone screens with virtual reality technology. The company, founded in 2011 and based in Florida, makes a device that works like glasses and displays computer-generated images.
The move signals a growing interest from major tech companies in businesses that offer such wearable technology. Facebook, the world’s largest social network, struck a $2 billion deal in July with Oculus VR, a company that makes virtual reality headsets. Sony, maker of the PlayStation video game console, is also developing a virtual reality device, similar to Samsung’s.
The technology offered by Magic Leap can prevent users from experiencing symptoms of nausea, something that other manufacturers do not offer, and this is a common problem.
For Google, Magic Leap represents another investment in 3D technology. In June, Google unveiled a do-it-yourself cardboard kit for creating virtual reality glasses using smartphones. At the same time, it also unveiled a new technology called Tango, which attempts to bring 3D mapping and sensing capabilities to smartphones and tablets.
Google is also developing a device called Glass, which displays information from smartphones and various apps on a tiny screen embedded in a metal frame or glasses. In May, Google released the product to the general public.
However, Google and Magic Leap declined to comment on the case.
