Peer acquires elite team of engineers from Zenly to develop its AI-powered 3D maps

‘Wonka’ is an elite team of engineers popularly known in the tech circles for developing Zenly’s Innovative 3D social maps, a platform that has grown to more than 160 million downloads, with more than 35 million daily active users in 2022. Now, 3D social network startup Peer is hiring this team of world-class engineers to build a planet-scale AR environment to enable AI mass adoption.

Peer recently announced it has hired a specialist team of engineers from Zenly to develop its AI-powered 3D maps. The new engineers will complement the existing Peer team credited with developing the technical innovations behind hardware, software, and services at some of the world’s largest and most future-forward companies.

Commenting on the hiring, Tony Tran, Founder & CEO of Peer Inc, said: “Zenly users adored its polished and delightful features. We’re huge fans as well, and we look forward to working with the Wonka team to recreate that magic and take it to the next level.”

The acquisition will enable Peer to quickly fast-track the development of its gamified social network, “Peer.” The highly anticipated app will be available on both iOS and Android in Q2 2023.

Founded by former engineers from Meta, Microsoft, Google, T-Mobile, Zenly, Magic Leap, Intel, Industrial Light and Magic, CafePress, and Snap, Peer is a 3D social network that lets you create your own world. In a statement on the company’s website, Tony noted that he created Peer with a single aim—”to move the world forward. He envisions a future where the internet is a seamlessly integrated presence in our environment that enhances and enriches our daily lives.”

“We have an aggressive roadmap to deliver the features that Zenly users loved in an all-new platform they will rave about” said Milan Bulat, Wonka’s former lead engineer and now Peer’s Head of Maps. “Peer will completely transform the way people experience their world.”

Peer is revolutionizing social networking by integrating AI, AR, and blockchain technology into a unique, planet-scale 3D map that delivers a game-like, immersive social experience. Core to the app is the ability for users to construct their personal “places graph,” a map of people, places, and memories, making it easy for day-to-day navigation, revisiting memories in real-world locations, and discovering new worlds shared by others.

“Our 3D maps sit at the intersection of the digital and physical worlds, enabling users to access both simultaneously,” said Tran. “We see it as a globally connected experience. This is an opportunity to create an exciting new world and bring back the emotional connection and sense of belonging that has been stripped from today’s social networks.”

In addition to the hiring news, Peer has launched peerclub.com to allow former Zenly users and early adopters to secure their usernames for the upcoming app launch. By doing so, they will also gain early access to exclusive rewards, secret moves, unlocks, and other engaging gamified features.

Peer is currently developing a range of innovative products that combine cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and computer vision to allow people to see, share, and interact in exciting new ways.