Home / Technology / Apple Buys Silent Speech Tech for $2 Billion
Apple Buys Silent Speech Tech for $2 Billion
31 Jan
Summary
- Apple acquired Q.ai for $2 billion, a major investment.
- Q.ai tech enables AI interaction through silent lip movements.
- This acquisition could enhance future Apple wearables and AR/VR devices.
Apple has acquired the Israeli startup Q.ai for approximately $2 billion, marking one of its largest acquisitions in a decade. This move aims to enhance future personal technology interfaces, particularly for AI interaction.
Q.ai's technology, developed by founders including one behind Microsoft's Kinect sensor technology, focuses on tracking small facial and lip movements. This allows for silent, command-based input to AI assistants, potentially revolutionizing how users interact with devices.
This acquisition aligns with Apple's broader strategy towards an ecosystem of connected AI wearables. Devices such as AirPods, smart glasses, and even mixed-reality headsets like the Vision Pro could integrate Q.ai's capabilities. The goal is to create more natural and subtle interactions, moving beyond current voice command limitations.
While the technology promises enhanced user experience, concerns about privacy arise due to its potential for lip-reading and intent recognition from a distance. The development also highlights a growing trend in wearable tech towards non-verbal and subtle input methods, including neural bands and advanced gesture controls.
