Key insights

• ⚙️ AR is a culmination of various fields including computer vision, graphics, engineering, and hardware optics
• ✨ The magic of AR lies in engaging with reality and making digital representation believable
• 🔧 AR is currently in the 'installation phase' solving hard problems for richer experiences, but will lead to a 'deployment phase' with widespread applications
• 📱 The proliferation of AR technology has been influenced by tooling, level of abstractions, and timing
• 🌍 Niantic is focusing on building a real-world platform for AR and sees mobile infrastructure and evolving computation power as key enablers for AR technology
• 📺 The video discusses challenges and opportunities in the AR and VR industry, including power efficiency, Edmunds Law, choosing the right product, and finding the right investors
• 💼 Founders found investors through showcasing pioneering AR technology and proving its feasibility, with the acquisition by Niantic providing the opportunity to continue building their AR vision
• 🗺️ The speaker shares their immigrant journey from Chile to the US, discussing the importance of learning new skills, building rapport with leadership, and overcoming cultural challenges

Q&A

• What advice is provided for immigrants and YC batch participants?

  The video discusses the challenges and achievements of immigrating to the US, starting a company, and provides advice for immigrants and YC batch participants, emphasizing networking and building relationships.

• What immigrant experience is shared in the video?

  The speaker shares their immigrant experience from Chile to the US, discussing the excitement of learning new skills, the challenges of cultural differences, and adjusting to a new language, environment, and education system.

• What was the impact of the acquisition by Niantic?

  The acquisition by Niantic allowed the founders to continue pursuing their AR vision within a larger company, providing a valuable learning environment.

• How were investors attracted to the AR technology?

  Investors were attracted by showcasing innovative AR technology and proving its feasibility. The early focus was on refining the technology rather than acquiring paying customers.

• What challenges and opportunities are discussed in the AR and VR industry?

  The challenges and opportunities in the AR and VR industry include power efficiency, Edmunds Law, choosing the right product to build, and finding the right investors.

• What is Niantic's focus regarding AR?

  Niantic is focusing on building a real-world platform for AR and sees the synergy with mobile infrastructure and evolving computation power as key enablers for AR technology.

• How has the proliferation of AR technology been influenced?

  The proliferation of apps and AR technology has been influenced by the right tooling, level of abstractions, and timing, leading to the emergence of AR as a feasible concept.

• What is the 'installation phase' of AR?

  The 'installation phase' of AR involves solving hard problems to create richer experiences before transitioning to a 'deployment phase' with widespread applications across industries.

• What is the multidisciplinary nature of AR?

  AR is a culmination of various fields, including computer vision, graphics, engineering, and hardware optics. It requires diverse technical backgrounds for its development.

• 00:00 Diana talks about the multidisciplinary nature of AR and the potential for it to become a first-class citizen in media, but emphasizes that it will take time for the technology to reach that stage.
• 06:28 The proliferation of apps and AR technology has been influenced by the right tooling, level of abstractions, and timing, leading to the emergence of AR as a feasible concept. Niantic is focusing on building a real-world platform for AR, and the company sees the synergy with mobile infrastructure and evolving computation power as key enablers for AR technology. The timing and environmental factors play a significant role in the development of AR technology.
• 11:49 The video discusses the challenges and opportunities in the AR and VR industry, including power efficiency, Edmunds Law, choosing the right product to build, and finding the right investors.
• 18:02 The founders found investors through showcasing pioneering AR technology and demonstrating its feasibility. The early focus was on nailing down the tech, and the acquisition by Niantic provided the opportunity to continue building their AR vision within a larger company.
• 23:30 The speaker discusses the excitement of learning new skills, the importance of building rapport with leadership, and the challenges of cultural differences. They share their immigrant experience from Chile to the US and the opportunities it brought. The journey involved adjusting to a new language, environment, and education system.
• 29:24 Successfully immigrating to the US, completing college early, starting a company, and advice for immigrants and YC batch participants.