Magic Leap Catapults the Future of Computing and User Experiences

Magic Leap, a boundary-breaking technology company based in Plantation, Fla., is anchored by creators, engineers, scientists and artists who are amplifying human creativity and intelligence through spatial computing. With the introduction of the Magic Leap One in August 2018, the company vaulted computing into a completely new era that lets digital content move beyond the confines of today’s 2D screens and computers.

“Spatial computing allows digital content to blend seamlessly into the physical world around you,” explains Daniel Diez, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Magic Leap. “Instead of staring at a tiny screen, you’re looking up and around as that content exists in the world where it’s most relevant at that moment in time. The digital content augments an experience, making it better in some way by meshing digital and physical together.”

For example, spatial computing as defined by Magic Leap can be used to show items viewed online while shopping at a physical store, upskill workers at a faster pace, or superimpose directions and guidance while exploring a new city. “Computing has been evolving for decades—all of which has operated behind screens,” adds Omar Kahn, Chief Product Officer at Magic Leap. “We’re delivering all of the power of the next generation of computing from an AI, productivity and entertainment perspective but without a screen.”

Marvel of Engineering

Magic Leap delivers game-changing, spatial computing experiences using its head-mounted digital lightfield display called Lightwear and a portable Lightpack sensing and computing device that holds the headset’s processors. A small, one-handed Control includes buttons, a touchpad and motion control capabilities. Magic Leap’s spatial computing platform uses a proprietary Digital Lightfield, which works naturally with the human eye-brain system to integrate digital content in the physical world through additive light.

“One of the things we founded the company on was making sure the lightfield could be consumed by the user in a very natural way,” says Paul Greco, Senior Vice President, Hardware Engineering & Programs at Magic Leap. Using the latest in machine learning, computer vision, sensors and human-centered AI, Magic Leap set out to completely change the way people consume digital information.

Bringing Magic Leap’s mission to market required a marvel of engineering, including the latest advancements in AI, spatial light modulation, optics, sensors, projection systems and precision mechanics. Another overriding challenge was that most existing technology roadmaps weren’t optimized for building a spatial computer. “We didn’t have the luxury of being an integrator,” adds Kahn. “We have to innovate on many of the processes and technologies in terms of what it takes to bring our products to market and get users engaged with them.”

In particular, Magic Leap faced some innovative optical challenges, especially in addressing the optics that feed the lightfield. In addition to custom sensors required for mapping and tracking the environment, the team needed to leverage cutting-edge optical technologies to drive new and compelling user experiences. “It’s not easy as this is brand-new technology,” says Diez. “We’re inventing new things every day.”

Commitment to Innovation

Another critical area where Jabil shines is in keeping pace with Magic Leap’s agile product development methodology, which applies flexible processes to turn over complex optical electrical systems at a very fast rate. “Jabil has been able to keep up with our rapid cycle times to speed product development and delivery,” notes Greco. “Together, we’ve implemented best practices and value-added steps around early supplier involvements and crossfunctional team engagement.”

The ability to take advantage of Jabil’s global supply chain expertise and long-standing supplier relationships has been invaluable in attaining the best components at the lowest prices. “Jabil’s supply chain has really helped us; they’re a well-established company with a tremendous amount of relationships,” says Bernardoni. “We actually looked like a much larger entity, which enabled us to get better pricing and faster supply guarantees.”

Moreover, Magic Leap leverages Jabil’s Intelligent Digital Supply Chain (IDSC) to gain real-time insights into events that could impact parts availability or pricing. As a result, Magic Leap’s team can make better decisions while taking advantage of a much more mature supply chain than could feasibly be built as a start-up.

“We can demonstrate the true meaning of partnership through Magic Leap’s relationship with Jabil,” adds Greco. “Everyone is invested in getting our product to market the right way—from product development engineers to operators at manufacturing facilities all the way up to the CEOs on both sides of our organizations.”

This close cultural alignment was exemplified when Jabil made an important investment that was needed to further streamline and speed Magic Leap One productization. After experiencing space constraints at a manufacturing facility, Jabil quickly authorized a new building to support Magic Leap’s burgeoning production demands. In short order, a full-scale production facility was up and running, with SMT and assembly lines, as well as optical test capabilities and stringent quality control processes.

Making the Impossible, Possible

“They helped pull all these different operations and organizations together with a singular focus that we’re going to essentially bring what was impossible five minutes ago to market today,” says Bernardoni. This united approach is fueling Magic Leap’s technology roadmap while identifying new opportunities and applications.

For instance, Magic Leap is working with Jabil on a special project to use the Magic Leap One to train production-line operators and support them through complex operations. “This concept of training and remote assistance—to have an instruction set overlaid at scale to help people understand what they’re doing —is very powerful,” says Kahn.

This new application, along with a growing list of enterprise, entertainment, productivity, collaboration and 3D visualization applications, is testament to the endless possibilities that can be facilitated by Magic Leap. “We’re really excited about the future of spatial computing,” concludes Greco. “We feel that it’s going to change how individuals and companies consume digital information, every day, all day and everywhere they go. Jabil will play a big part in helping us drive innovation and achieve our mission, while making future products smaller, more affordable and increasingly powerful.”