Apple Acquires AI Startup Focused on Streamlining Manufacturing Processes

Apple has bolstered its acquisition strategy by adding Canada-based DarwinAI, a startup that specializes in vision-based technology aimed at enhancing manufacturing efficiency, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Although Apple and DarwinAI have not officially confirmed the acquisition, several members of DarwinAI's team have joined Apple’s machine learning divisions, as indicated on their LinkedIn profiles since January.

DarwinAI successfully raised over $15 million through various funding rounds, drawing investments from notable firms such as BDC Capital’s Deep Tech Venture Fund, Honeywell Ventures, Obvious Ventures, and Inovia Capital. BDC Capital has confirmed the exit from DarwinAI on its website, while Obvious Ventures has updated its portfolio to reflect the acquisition.

At the time of writing, BDC Capital and Obvious Ventures have not provided comments. We have reached out to Apple for an official statement and will update our report upon receiving a response.

Bloomberg's report highlights that, in addition to improving manufacturing processes, DarwinAI develops techniques to create more compact and efficient AI models. This innovation may play a crucial role in Apple's plans to incorporate on-device generative AI capabilities, which are anticipated to debut in iOS 18 later this year.

Historically, Apple has lagged behind competitors like OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Microsoft in rolling out generative AI features. During a quarterly earnings call in February, Tim Cook expressed the company’s commitment to unveiling these features "later this year," emphasizing the substantial resources being invested in this area.

Last year, Cook reaffirmed Apple’s dedication to enhancing generative AI initiatives. Recent job postings have indicated that the company is exploring integrating AI across various sectors, including Siri, developer tools, and customer support.