Google's AR chief retired due to 'uneasy commitment and vision'

by Thomas Hawk

Mark Lukowski, head of OS and software platforms for Google's augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (XR) devices, has announced that he has left Google. It has been reported that Google has been shrinking its AR business in recent years, and it is highly likely that Mr. Lukovsky decided to leave the company as a result.

Google's head of AR software quits, citing “unstable commitment and vision” | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/googles-head-of-ar-software-quits-citing-unstable-commitment-and-vision/

Google was developing Google Glass for AR smart glasses, but announced the end of support in March 2023.

End of sales and support for Google's AR smart glasses ``Google Glass Enterprise Edition'' - GIGAZINE

In addition, the new AR headset development project 'Project Iris' was also canceled. It is reported that Google will focus on building software rather than hardware for AR development. In addition, Clay Vapor, who has led Google's XR business since around 2015, will retire in March 2023.

Report that Google returned the AR headset development project 'Project Iris' to a blank slate - GIGAZINE

“I am stepping away from my role as senior director of engineering developing the OS and software platform for Google’s AR and XR devices,” Lukowski said. The volatility of the world weighed heavily on my decision.'

I have decided to step away from my role at Google, where I was Senior Director of Engineering, responsible for OS and Software Platform for AR and XR devices. The recent changes in AR leadership and Google's unstable commitment and vision have weighed heavily on my decision .

—mark lucovsky (@marklucovsky) July 10, 2023

Mr. Lukowski became known for his research on Windows NT, and was a leader in building an OS for AR devices at Facebook (now Meta). However, in 2021, when Facebook was questioned about corporate ethics in the wake of the Capitol raid , Mr. Lukowski left Facebook. After that, he joined Google, but as a result Mr. Lukovsky left Google in just two years.

Looking ahead, Mr. Lukowski said, “I have a strong desire to explore opportunities to further advance the fusion of AR technology and generative AI. I'm working on the next chapter.'

Ars Technica, an IT news site, said that Apple, which develops the Vision Pro AR headset, is building an application compatible with visionOS , and in late June 2023 , it will start offering a software development kit for visionOS. He also mentioned that Microsoft and Amazon are working together on an AR project, and commented, ``It probably won't be too hard to find where Mr. Lukovsky will land next.''