Apple Acquires German Eye Tracking Firm SensoMotoric Instruments

January 25, 2014

apple has acquired german computer vision company sensomotoric instruments, provider of eye tracking glasses , systems, based on evidence compiled macrumors.

on may 2, apple's vice president of corporate law gene levoff, representing delaware-based shell company vineyard capital corporation, granted power of attorney german law firm hiking kühn lüer wojtek represent vineyard capital corporation in business related acquisition of sensomotoric instruments.

on june 16, sensomotoric instruments filed several documents german company register outlining new articles of incorporation. sensomotoric's previous managing director eberhard schmidt replaced dr. ali sahin, 1 of german attorneys representing vineyard capital corporation.

vineyard capital corporation listed having acquired company shares of sensomotoric instruments.

apple takes steps hide acquisitions through shell companies, exist on paper, levoff's signature on 1 of documents clear giveaway vineyard capital corporation apple. levoff notarized document in cupertino, california, apple headquartered.

sensomotoric instruments updated website, removing on dozen pages detailed information products. website no longer has jobs portal, news blog, schedule of events , workshops, contact information, list of distributors , resellers, or mailing list signup form.

archived version of website last week indicated company hiring, current version not. schmidt's name , headshot have been removed website no longer managing director. christian villwock, director of oem solutions business, removed.

acquisition backed anonymous tipster, told allegedly spoke apple employee today said deal has been completed. additionally, 1 of sensomotoric's clients informed have been attempting contact company several weeks without hearing back.

apple , sensomotoric instruments did not respond multiple requests comments. sensomotoric's phone line out of service.

sensomotoric instruments, founded in 1991, has developed range of eye tracking hardware , software several fields of use, including virtual , augmented reality, in-car systems, clinical research, cognitive training, linguistics, neuroscience, physical training , biomechanics, , psychology.

company's eye tracking glasses, instance, capable of recording person's natural gaze behavior in real-time , in real world situations sampling rate 120hz. seen in video below, 1 possible use case athletes looking evaluate , improve visual performance.

sensomotoric has developed eye-tracking technology virtual reality headsets such oculus rift, can analyze wearer's gaze , reduce motion sickness, common side effect of vr. solution can allow person's gaze control menus or aim in game gaze.

sensomotoric's other eye-tracking solutions include standalone devices, such red250mobile, allows saccade-based studies conducted @ 250hz researchers require both mobility , high sampling rate.

apple has reportedly prototyped pair of "smart glasses" connect iphone , display "images , other information" wearer, , sensomotoric's eye-tracking technology feasibly play role in product alongside solutions apple's other acquisitions faceshift.

apple ceo tim cook has repeatedly expressed "profound" interest in augmented reality, calling technology "a big idea" smartphone. said augmented reality should "amplify" human contact, noted "there things discover before technology enough mainstream."

ios 11, apple delving augmented reality in big way, introducing arkit development platform allow developers , build augmented reality experiences apps , games.

subscribe macrumors on youtube more videos

sensomotoric instruments headquartered in teltow, germany, near berlin, , website said had office in boston well. it's unclear if company , 60 employees, according linkedin, merge within apple or remain independent subsidiary. financial terms of deal unknown.

eric slivka contributed report.

update: "apple buys smaller technology companies time time, , not discuss our purpose or plans," apple representative said in statement axios, confirming deal.

article link: apple acquires german eye tracking firm sensomotoric instruments