🇮🇱 Apple has acquired Israel-based AI startup Q. ai, known for developing technology that detects speech through subtle facial skin movements. The deal terms were not disclosed.
💰 Reuters estimates the company was valued at around $1.6B, while the Financial Times reports the price could be close to $2B.
🤖 Q. ai uses machine learning to enhance silent and low-volume speech recognition and has filed patents for tech that analyzes micro-movements of facial skin to detect spoken words, identify users, and even assess emotions, heart rate, and breathing.
ℹ️ Around 100 employees will join Apple, including CEO Aviad Maizels and co-founders Yonatan Wexler and Avi Barliya. Maizels previously founded PrimeSense, acquired by Apple in 2013 — its tech later became the foundation of Face ID.
🤐 Apple has not commented on how it plans to use Q.ai’s technology.
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