Apple is rumored to be in talks to acquire Israeli development company PrimeSense, the company that developed the range camera technology used by Microsoft as a base for its Xbox 360’s 3D-motion tracking Kinect sensor.
According to Israeli publication Calcalist (via The Next Web), Apple and PrimeSense are in advanced talks for an acquisition reportedly worth $280 million. The company creates sensors, chips and middle-ware for motion-sensing and 3D scanning applications.
Technology from PrimeSense is also used in advanced applications such as Matterport’s 3D scanner, which uses the firm’s sensors to create full-color models of interior spaces. iRobot’s Ava healthcare robot also uses PrimeSense sensors to “see,” which allows it to navigate an area and interact with humans.
It is unknown what plans Apple may have for the technology PrimeSense has developed, but it is believed that the firm’s technology could be combined with that of the “indoor GPS” firm WiFiSlam, which Apple purchased back in March.
(Update – 7/16/2013) Mashable reports that PrimeSense has released the following statement from its CEO, Inon Beracha: “We can’t comment on what any of our partners, customers or potential customers are doing and we’re not commenting on rumors.”
