https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/22/apple-startup-acquire-ai-compression-and-computer-vision/

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Report: Apple acquires French startup behind AI and computer vision
technology

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller | Apr 22 2024 - 6:40 am PT
5 Comments
[apple-park-dusk]

Apple has reportedly acquired Datakalab, a Paris, France-based
startup specializing in artificial intelligence compression and
computer vision technology. According to French business magazine
Challenges, the acquisition was finalized in December.

Datakalab described itself as "experts in low power, runtime
efficient, and deep learning algorithms" that work on device.

On its LinkedIn page, Datakalab highlights "industry leading
compression and adaptation to deploy embedded computer vision that is
fast, cost-effective and precise." Prior to the Apple acquisition had
between 10 and 20 employees.

From Datakalab's now-defunct website:

    Datakalab is a French technology company that develops computer
    image analysis algorithms to measure flows in public space. The
    images are instantly transformed into anonymized statistical data
    processed locally in 100ms.

    Datakalab does not store any images or personal data and only
    keeps statistical data. Datakalab products are built according to
    the principle of "Privacy by Design".

Datakalab teamed up with the French government in May 2020 to deploy
AI tools into Paris transportation systems to check whether people
were wearing face masks. The company also worked with Disney and
other partners in the past.

[16113250_1184207941616031_485811767077461664_o]

While neither Apple nor DatakaLab have acknowledged the acquisition,
Challenges says that the deal was reported to the European Commission
this month. The report says that Datakalab's two founders did not
join Apple, but multiple other employees did make the jump. Datakalab
also held multiple patents related to AI compression and vision
technology.

The acquisition comes as Apple is expected to bring a suite of AI
features to iOS 18 later this year. Datakalab also developed advanced
vision-based technology, which could play a role in Apple's Vision
Pro ambitions into the future. The company's advanced facial
recognition technology could also contribute to things like Photos
and Face ID.

(via iPhoneSoft)

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Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller chancehmiller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest
Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com

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