TeamViewer, a global leader in remote IT support, announced a strategic partnership with Swiss-based Augmented Reality (AR) startup, Almer. The partnership coincides with Apple's Vision Pro debut, scheduled for commercial release next month.
The Almer Arc headset enables collaboration with remote workers as if they were physically present and augmenting the worker's environment with relevant information for pointing out objects in reality. The Arc 2 headset features a 25 mega-pixel camera, beamforming microphones, built-in speakers, and a holographic see-through screen. 138 grams in weight, the Arc 2 boasts an 8-hour battery life and a transparent display. Its designed for dynamic environments, whereas Apple’s Vision Pro is suitable for static environments.
"Approximately 80% of the global workforce operate on the frontline, and benefit little from digital transformation," explained Mei Dent, CPO and CTO of TeamViewer. "There's immense potential for efficiency and productivity gains by enhancing the [frontline] work with digital tools and connecting to their backend system. Our joint offering with Almer allows companies to explore how AR opens new opportunities for business and operations and accelerates their digitalization efforts."
Almer, founded in 2021 by Sebastian Beetschen and Timon Binder, attracted $7.6 million in funding and boasts 21 clients. "The Almer Arc is designed for adaptability and precision," commented Beetschen. "Its advanced 25MP camera offers unprecedented detail and environmental understanding, marking a significant advancement over competitors."
The global AR market is estimated to grow from $62.7 billion in 2023 to $1.1 trillion by 2030, while the AR headsets' segment is set to hit $120 billion by 2026. Almer is focused locally, but plans expand into the DACH region before going global.
"The cost saving potential of using AR to service all installed machines for the 10 largest tooling-machine manufacturers in DACH alone accounts for £7.9 billion per year," added Beetschen.
