Meta In Talks With AR Startup Magic Leap To License Technology And Manufacture Headsets
Meta and Magic Leap are in talks to sign a multi-year intellectual property licensing and manufacturing agreement, the Financial Times has learned. Details of the talks are scarce, but the potential partnership does not include a jointly developed headset.
Meta is exploring ways Magic Leap could provide both intellectual property licensing and contract manufacturing in North America to help create core augmented reality products.
Magic Leap manufactures bespoke components, including high-tech lenses and related software, which are key technologies that may be needed to build a metaspace. However, sources say the partnership will not result in a joint Meta-Magic Leap headset.
Two former employees said Magic Leap’s “biggest advantage” is the sophistication of its technology, which allows thin glass in front of the user’s eyes to create lifelike images at varying depths.
Meta declined to comment. Magic Leap did not confirm the talks, but added that the partnership is becoming “an important line of business and a growing opportunity for Magic Leap.”
