Apple Acquires Canadian AI Startup DarwinAI to Enhance Manufacturing Efficiency and On-Device AI Features
Acquisition Details and DarwinAI’s Specialization
Apple has recently acquired DarwinAI, a Canada-based AI startup that specializes in vision-based technology for observing components during manufacturing to improve efficiency, as reported by Bloomberg. Although neither Apple nor DarwinAI has officially announced the deal, several members of the startup’s team joined Apple’s machine learning teams in January, according to their LinkedIn profiles.
Funding and Investor Confirmation
Prior to the acquisition, DarwinAI had raised over $15 million in funding across various rounds from investors such as BDC Capital’s Deep Tech Venture Fund, Honeywell Ventures, Obvious Ventures, and Inovia Capital. BDC Capital’s website confirms that it has received an exit from DarwinAI, while Obvious Venture has updated its portfolio to reflect the startup’s acquisition.
Potential Applications for Apple
In addition to its focus on manufacturing efficiency, DarwinAI utilizes techniques to make AI models smaller and faster, as noted by Bloomberg. This technology could prove valuable for Apple as it aims to introduce on-device generative AI features in the upcoming iOS 18 release later this year.
Apple’s Plans for Generative AI
Despite lagging behind competitors like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft in releasing generative AI-powered features, Apple CEO Tim Cook has expressed the company’s commitment to investing in this area:
“We continue to spend a tremendous amount of time and effort and we’re excited to share the details of our ongoing work in that space later this year.”
Apple’s job listings have indicated that the company is exploring the integration of AI in various internal and external areas, including Siri, developer tools, and customer support.
The acquisition of DarwinAI showcases Apple’s ongoing efforts to enhance its AI capabilities, both in terms of manufacturing efficiency and on-device features, as it prepares to unveil its generative AI offerings later this year.
4 Comments
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