While Google has been teasing an Android XR project in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm since last December, speculations have been doing rounds about the possibility of AR glasses or headsets being in the works. With Samsung recently unveiling the Project Moohan headset built on the Android XR platform, we got a preview of the headset for the first time at the Galaxy Unpacked 2025.
This seems like a big development in regard to getting a visual take on the XR device, which many find to have striking similarities with Apple Vision Pro. However, a major update to push for the development of the project has been announced by Google recently, and that is the company has teamed up with HTC VIVE to acquire some of its engineering team members for technical expertise.
To accelerate the development of its XR project, Google recently took onboard the HTC VIVE engineering team
Google is not only focused on teaming up with Samsung and Qualcomm when it comes to launching Android AR glasses and VR headsets, but it also has other software and hardware manufacturers working with the company. It seems not to be stopping there and is pushing hard for the project's development, and this is emphasized by its recent efforts to take HTC engineers onboard.
Google took to its Keyword blog to make this announcement, and although it was a precise statement, it marks a huge move by the company as it has entered an agreement with HTC to acquire members of the HTC XR Team. The reason why this move is of great significance is due to the technical hold it has in the VR space. As per the announcement:
Some of the HTC VIVE engineering team are hopping over to Google in order to accelerate the development of the Android XR platform across the headsets and glasses ecosystem. And with these employees comes some exciting hardware expertise.
As per the HTC's press release, Google paid a hefty amount to the company, around $250 million, for having some of the members of the HTC XR team join Google. Google would be receiving a non-exclusive license for HTC's XR intellectual property (IP), and it is also mentioned that both companies would keep on exploring further collaboration opportunities as HTC continues to focus on the development of the XR ecosystem. The company also highlighted how the VIVE business is not being sold to Google, and the focus on its existing product line continues side by side. In the press release, HTC states:
This agreement reinforces HTC’s strategy of continued development around the XR ecosystem, enabling a more streamlined product portfolio focused on platforms, greater operational efficiency and financial flexibility. HTC’s commitment to delivering innovative VIVE XR solutions such as the VIVE Focus Vision remains unchanged, with existing product lines to be supported and developed without interruption.
While this is not the first time Google has acquired HTC employees for in-house development of its devices, the latest development marks a major step towards pushing for the XR headset, as the headset is expected to come out later this year.
