A few technology companies have been trying to wedge augmented reality into construction for a few years now, boasting benefits of overlaying BIM models onto the real life site you’re working on, as well as interactive collaboration with remote workers. One of those companies that we thought was going to make a pretty big impact is apparently closing its doors in the near future.
According to TechCrunch, DAQRI, the company behind the DAQRI Smart Helmet has already laid off most of its employees and is selling off all of its assets.
The Smart Helmet featured a very futuristic look with an interactive head-up display and several cameras and sensors installed around it. DAQRI later partnered with Topcon Positioning Group to make the helmet more useful for the construction industry. A smaller, lighter version of the technology was released in 2017 in the form of smart glasses, which weighed over 2 pounds less than the Smart Helmet.
The company has faced stiff competition from tech giants like Microsoft and their Hololens in recent years, but it also seems that AR adoption overall was slower than many expected. TechCrunch reported that several other AR startup companies have also closed down recently.
DAQRI was 10 years old. RIP DAQRI.
If you want to see how the Smart Helmet was supposed to work on the jobsite, check out the video below:
Full Story: Another high-flying, heavily funded AR headset startup is shutting down | TechCrunch
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