Qualcomm Corp. has announced its partnership with Microsoft to develop a custom AR chip that will power AR glasses within Microsoft’s ecosystems.

The company is working with Microsoft to deliver a rich and immersive experience and plans to integrate software like Microsoft Mesh and Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform.

Qualcomm, at the ongoing 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) said both companies are believers in the metaverse and the chipmaker is working with the tech giant to expand and accelerate the adoption of augmented reality.

“This collaboration reflects the next step in both companies’ shared commitment to XR and the metaverse,” Hugo Swart, vice president and general manager of XR, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc said.

“Our goal is to inspire and empower others to collectively work to develop the metaverse future – a future that is grounded in trust and innovation,” Rubén Caballero, corporate vice president Mixed Reality, Microsoft said.

Qualcomm has increased its focus in the area of AR and VR in a bid to cash in on the opportunity. For instance, its Snapdragon XR2 powers the Oculus Quest 2 and the partnership with Microsoft is yet another step towards strengthening its presence in the segment.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 chip has also been powering Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 since 2019.