In a significant setback for Google’s augmented reality (AR) endeavors, Mark Lucovsky,
former head of operating systems for AR at the company
In a significant setback for Google’s augmented reality (AR) endeavors, Mark Lucovsky,
former head of operating systems for AR at the company, has announced his departure.
Lucovsky expressed dissatisfaction with “changes in AR leadership and Google’s
unstable commitment and vision,” which played a crucial role in his decision to step
down.
His resignation adds to the challenges faced by Google’s AR team, including recent
layoffs and the departure of Clay Bavor, the former head of virtual reality (VR) at Google.
Lucovsky’s decision comes at a time when Google’s AR roadmap appears increasingly
uncertain. The company encountered setbacks earlier this year with the cancellation of
“Project Iris,” its ambitious AR glasses project.
Losing a Pioneering Mind
Consequently, Google has shifted its focus away from AR hardware and instead plans to
develop software for AR products. One of the ongoing projects includes the creation of
a “micro XR” platform, which may be offered to other headset manufacturers
Additionally, Google is collaborating with Samsung and Qualcomm on a mixed reality
venture.
Mark Lucovsky, is known for his significant contributions to the computer industry. His
works includes contributing to Microsoft’s Windows NT OS in the 1990s and previously
leading Facebook’s efforts to develop an operating system for AR glasses.
However, concerns regarding platform management led him to depart from Facebook in
2021. Despite joining Google to spearhead the XR operating system project, Lucovsky’s
tenure was cut short due to Google’s history of project cancellations and perceived lack
of commitment.
Uncertainties Loom
The departure of Lucovsky raises uncertainties about Google’s future XR ambitions. It
remains to be seen whether Google will continue developing its operating system under
new leadership. Meanwhile, Lucovsky expressed eagerness to explore opportunities at
the intersection of generative AI and augmented reality, hinting at a possible return to
Microsoft in a light-hearted Twitter exchange with the company’s chief scientific officer,
Eric Horvitz.
As the mixed reality industry becomes increasingly competitive, with the upcoming
release of Apple’s Vision Pro headset and Google’s strategic software-focused
approach, the future of augmented reality remains dynamic and challenging for tech
giants like Google.
