After acquiring smart lensmaker Luxexcel to develop its first AR glasses, Meta has bought a small Colorado-based optics startup, Gary Sharp Innovations [GSI]. With the acquisition, Zuckerberg’s company seeks to advance in creating better optics for VR headsets and AR glasses.
It is understood that GSI is a small R&D start-up company located in Colorado, USA, which was founded in 2017. Through this acquisition, Meta has a number of patents and patent applications, as well as some document responsibilities. Robert Fort, a former employee, revealed through LinkedIn that he is now a VR real optical expert in Meta.
A patent currently owned by Meta describes a Pancake lens, which minimizes scattered light through a special optical layer.
MetaQuest Pro head display uses Meta brand Pancake lenses, which have been developed for four years. The same lens may be used for subsequent VR head displays, such as MetaQuest 3.
In the next few years, this type of lens is likely to replace Fresnel lens as an industry standard. Pancake lens can achieve a narrower overall dimension and has enhanced image clarity.
Since the employees of this start-up company joined Meta only in the summer, its technology is unlikely to have appeared in the available products. However, these expertise may benefit future products, such as those in the AR field. About half of Meta's investment is in the development of AR head display. The first non-commercial version may be launched in 2024.
Before acquiring GSI, Meta also acquired optical and display manufacturers Luxexcel, Image Optix and Lemnis Technologies. Meta also obtained the exclusive right of the manufacturer Plessey's AR display.
In addition to Meta, Google, Apple and other technology companies are also acquiring VR and AR start-ups to ensure the upcoming key technologies. Some industry observers believe that this is an anti-competitive method to exclude small companies from the market at an early stage.