Google Acquires Startup Specializing in Tiny Displays for Augmented Reality

UPDATE 5/5: Google has now confirmed its acquisition of Raxium, stating that "Raxium’s technical expertise in this area will play a key role as we continue to invest in our hardware efforts."

Raxium is located in Fremont, California and will now become a part of Google’s Devices & Services team.

Original Story 3/17:Google's latest acquisition suggests we may see Google Glass return with much more impressive display technology.

The search giant has reached a deal to acquire a five-year-old startup called Raxium, The Information reports. Raxium is focused on Micro LED technology with a view to offering better augmented reality and mixed reality displays. The company's website includes details of highly-efficient Micro LEDs measuring roughly 3.5 microns per pixel and offering millions of nits of brightness

Micro LEDs offer many of the same benefits as OLED without some of the drawbacks, notably burn-in. Their small proportions make them well suited for the close-up displays needed for head-mounted displays as they can help reduce the “screen door effect” that occurs when a viewer can see the gaps between pixels.

Just how Google would implement Raxium’s Micro LED technology isn’t entirely clear. Many AR devices don’t situate a traditional display in front of a user's eyes, instead opting for projection and advanced optics to reflect a display on an otherwise transparent lens. This is effectively how AR glasses like Oppo’s Air Glass and Focals by North (a company Google has also acquired) work. A transparent Micro LED display is a possibility, though.

Google has shown continued interest in AR with the anticipated Project Iris, and it's likely to face plenty of competition. Microsoft’s HoloLens is still on the market, and Meta has shown serious ambition in the space, even managing to snag dozens of employees from Microsoft. Even Apple is interested in this tech, having acquired a Micro LED display maker back in 2014. In Apple's case, though, we're more likely to see its main devices make the switch to Micro LED than AR glasses being announced.

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Mark Knapp

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I've covered the technology field for a decade, beginning a freelance career in 2017 and working with numerous publications, including PCMag since 2021. I have reviewed hundreds of products with a particular emphasis on computers and the broad field of peripherals, especially audio gear. At PCMag, I contribute audio device reviews of products like headphones and speakers, in addition to reviews of Windows laptops.

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As a voracious reviewer, I'm cycling through different hardware at almost every corner of my life. My desk sees new speakers, monitors, keyboards, mice, computers, and laptops come across non-stop. I stick with Windows systems, as I have since I was a child, and can't get away from the familiarity with its organization and the many keyboard shortcuts that are now down to muscle-memory and all too essential to my workflows. On mobile, I've stuck with Android for its flexibility, though which phone is in my hand on any given day is a constant question.

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