Under the collaboration, Qualcomm and Microsoft will develop custom AR chips to enable a new wave of AR glasses for rich and immersive experiences apart from integrating Microsoft Mesh and the Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform
Qualcomm announced an AR collaboration with Microsoft during the 2022 CES. (Credit: Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.)
Qualcomm Technologies has partnered with Microsoft to expand and expedite the adoption of augmented reality (AR) in the consumer as well as the enterprise sector.
The US semiconductor company said that it is working with Microsoft across various initiatives to drive the ecosystem. One of the initiatives will be developing custom AR chips to enable a new wave of AR glasses for rich and immersive experiences.
Besides, the duo plans to integrate software such as the Microsoft Mesh collaboration and communications platform and Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform, a headworn AR developer kit to help developers create immersive experiences for AR glasses.
Microsoft Mesh, which was unveiled last year, is a mixed-reality platform that aims to enable people in different physical locations to take part in virtual meetings as holograms.
Qualcomm Technologies extended reality (XR) vice president and general manager Hugo Swart said: “This collaboration reflects the next step in both companies’ shared commitment to XR and the metaverse.
“Qualcomm Technologies’ core XR strategy has always been delivering the most cutting-edge technology, purpose-built XR chipsets and enabling the ecosystem with our software platforms and hardware reference designs.
“We are thrilled to work with Microsoft to help expand and scale the adoption of AR hardware and software across the entire industry.”
According to Qualcomm Technologies, the collaboration with Microsoft recognises its spatial computing expertise, technology, and the intent to create transformative experiences for the next generation of headworn AR devices ahead of the metaverse era.
Microsoft mixed reality corporate vice president Rubén Caballero said: “Our goal is to inspire and empower others to collectively work to develop the metaverse future – a future that is grounded in trust and innovation.
“With services like Microsoft Mesh, we are committed to delivering the safest and most comprehensive set of capabilities to power metaverses that blend the physical and digital worlds, ultimately delivering a shared sense of presence across devices.”
Qualcomm Technologies’ announcement regarding the collaboration was made during the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). During the event, the company also introduced the Snapdragon Ride Vision System, an open and scalable platform for automated driving.