Headspace, a meditation app previously covered on Docwire for launching a subsidiary to achieve FDA approval, has recently acquired Alpine.AI. By purchasing the voice recognition focused AI company, Headspace has added a powerful technology to its already impressive platform.
Alpine.AI’s current technology has been utilized by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, two leading voice recognition systems. Following their subsidiary created in June to create a prescription meditation app by 2020, this marks another huge accomplishment for the San Francisco-based company. Headspace’s team claims that voice-powered software as a means of furthering their app’s meditative and mindful content.
“Alpine.AI will help dramatically improve our voice platforms allowing users to have a more natural conversation with our products via voice assistants like Google Home or Alexa,” said Headspace CTP Paddy Hannon. “For customers wanting to experience Headspace without their phone, and the myriad distractions that come with it, Alpine will help us ensure they have an amazing experience. We see this system evolving and we see the underlying conversational technology as critical to building a comprehensive guide to health and happiness.”
Headspace plans to release their flagship meditation app alongside other FDA approved apps, aiming to treat a myriad of diseases. The company began conducting randomized trials this summer to test the app’s efficacy, releasing limited information pertaining to these trials for competitive reasons. Headspace hopes to submit these trials findings to the FDA in 2019, putting them in a position to receive clearance in 2020.
The company has looked to grow more partnerships with other companies as well. With $75.2 million in funding from traditional and angel investors, Headspace is currently partnered with Nike, Amazon, Apple, Google, and the MBA. The app currently has 31 million users and a net value of $320 million.
Specific terms of the deal have not been disclosed to the public, but Headspace claims that the acquisition will include Alpine’s team and technology. Headspace’s current interface relies heavily on audio, using the unique voice of former Tibetan monk Andy Puddicombe to guide users through meditation sessions. Implementing this voice recognition AI from Alpine, the Headspace app would be able to integrate user voice commands. For example, the user could set up their phone for their meditation and say “feeling stressed”, prompting the app to guide them through a session dedicated to stress alleviation.
“We are thrilled to be dedicating our efforts to coaching and guiding users to build healthy routines,” said Adam Marchick, Alpine.AI CEO regarding the acquisition. “Alpine’s machine learning capabilities accelerate Headspace’s efforts to bring new conversational experiences to market.”
Meditation app Headspace acquires https://t.co/8iYE5ovxT0 https://t.co/HZjcYC4uEI via @MobiHealthNews
— kristinmilburn (@kristinmilburn) September 5, 2018
Sources: Alpine.AI, MobiHealthNews, TechCrunch
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