Daqri
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Augmented reality technology |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Defunct | 2019-09-13 |
| Fate | Ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | DAQRI Smart Glasses, Smart Helmet, Worksense AR tools |
DAQRI was a U.S.-based company specializing in augmented reality technologies, with its main office located in Los Angeles, California. The firm reportedly halted its operations as of September 13, 2019.
Focusing on augmented reality wearable technology, DAQRI’s primary offering was the DAQRI Smart Glasses, designed specifically for industrial applications. Prior to this, the company developed the Smart Helmet, which attracted attention through multiple industry case studies, underscoring DAQRI’s commitment to delivering pragmatic AR solutions tailored for enterprise environments.
2010
The company was established.
2011
In February 2011, DAQRI introduced an augmented reality publishing platform that allowed images or videos to be superimposed over smartphone camera views through QR code scanning.
2012
DAQRI created 4D augmented reality content and applications aimed at sectors including entertainment, education, and industry.
2013
In June 2013, the company raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Tarsadia Investments. The advisory board was bolstered by prominent figures such as Troy Carter (CEO of Atom Factory), Ashton Kutcher, and D.A. Wallach. By July 2017, total funding had reached $275 million, predominantly from Tarsadia Investments.
2014
DAQRI ventured into wearable tech with the introduction of the Android-based Smart Helmet targeting industrial and construction markets. Equipped with a Sixth Gen Intel Core m7 processor along with integrated cameras and sensors, the helmet provided augmented reality features like visual instructions, live alerts, and 3D mapping to improve safety and efficiency on job sites.
2015
In February 2015, DAQRI expanded its capabilities by acquiring Melon, a Venice-based company specializing in EEG-tracking headbands, integrating neurotechnology into its product lineup. In May, it acquired ARToolworks, a pioneer in augmented reality known for its open-source ARToolKit libraries. By June, DAQRI broadened its international presence by opening a European headquarters and development center in Dublin, Ireland.
2016
At CES 2016 during Intel’s keynote presentation, DAQRI launched its Smart Helmet showcasing cutting-edge AR hardware. In March of the same year, the company acquired 1066 Labs, a manufacturer of head-mounted displays focused on enterprise AR solutions, as well as Two Trees Photonics from the UK, which specialized in holographic technologies. In June, DAQRI was recognized on CNBC's Disruptor 50 list and established an additional European office in Vienna, Austria.
2017
January 2017 marked the debut of new augmented reality Smart Glasses, signaling a strategic pivot in DAQRI’s product focus. By July, total investments amounted to $275 million led by Tarsadia Investments. After significant staff reductions impacting nearly one-quarter of employees, co-founder and CEO Brian Mullins resigned in October and was succeeded by Chief Product Officer Roy Ashok. Two months later, co-founder Gaia Dempsey also departed. Toward year-end, Ashok announced that the Smart Helmet would be discontinued as a primary product; instead, emphasis would shift toward the more affordable and adaptable Smart Glasses to accelerate growth and enhance market presence.
2018
On March 7, 2018, Daqri introduced Worksense, a collection of augmented reality tools designed to enhance productivity and encourage wider use of its AR smart glasses.
2019
On September 9, 2019, Daqri revealed plans to conduct an asset sale and discontinue its cloud services along with smart-glasses hardware operations by the end of the month. The organization subsequently shut down its main office, implemented significant workforce reductions, and liquidated assets in preparation for the closure.