Congratulations to our recent client, Apical, a London-based company specializing in embedded imaging and vision technology, for its acquisition by ARM!

ARM Holdings, one of Britain’s few large global tech companies, acquired Apical for $350 million to accelerate ARM’s long-term growth strategy into new markets, such as driverless cars, security systems, robotics and other connected devices. The acquisition closed on May 17, 2016 and the news garnered dozens of articles from top-tier news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, The Guardian, to name a few. With this acquisition, ARM gains access to Apical’s advanced imaging products, which ARM will leverage to make a splash in the exciting world of the Internet of Things (IoT).

According to the press release, Apical’s existing technology will complement ARM’s Mali graphics, display and video processor roadmap. Apical’s current technology includes:

• Spirit: A power-efficient computer vision technology, Spirit gives ARM and its partners the ability to offer advanced image computing. It comprises dedicated silicon IP blocks that deliver an on-chip computer vision capability by converting raw sensor data or video into a machine-readable representation of an image.
• Assertive Display: Based on more than a decade’s research into human vision, Assertive Display enables screens to adapt to changes in light by overcoming brightness limitations, while reducing power consumption.
• Assertive Camera: Configured as a range of image signal processors (ISPs) and software packages, Assertive Camera delivers advances in performance including high dynamic range, noise reduction and color management.

Simon Segars, CEO of ARM, said it best in the press release announcing the acquisition: “Apical is at the forefront of embedded computer vision technology, building on its leadership in imaging products that already enable intelligent devices to deliver amazing new user experiences. The ARM partnership is solving the technical challenges of next-generation products such as driverless cars and sophisticated security systems. These solutions rely on the creation of dedicated image computing solutions and Apical’s technologies will play a crucial role in their delivery.”

Apical’s acquisition illustrates the important role PR can play in increasing awareness for companies. Through a strategic combination of proactive pitching, press announcements, bylines and speaking engagements, Apical garnered meaningful and influential coverage in business, tech and trade publications. Following are coverage highlights we are pleased to share:

• CNBC: How your home will know what you need before you do
• CE Pro: Apical’s Secure, Smart Home Motion Sensors Work Like Video Analytics without Video
• GigaOm: In a data coup, Apical analyzes visual data without the video
• Informationweek: 14 Ways IoT Will Change Big Data And Business Forever
• Information Age: Video in the smart home: The problem or the solution?
• San Jose Mercury News: New tracking technology raises privacy concerns
• VentureBeat: This home “vision-as-a-service” system now knows when there’s a human in view

It’s an exciting time for Apical and we are proud to have played a small role in the company’s acquisition. Apical is a dynamic and successful company that’s helping unlock the potential of IoT and we look forward to seeing how ARM and Apical work to advance the connected world.