During a trip to France in which Tim Cook is set to meet French president Emmanuel Macron, the Apple CEO also visited a small French company whose technology is reported to be key to Face ID.
According to a new report from VentureBeat, the Apple CEO shared a pair of photos from his trip to the country on Monday, which has included a visit to a key supplier for the iPhone X, Eldim.
At Eldim, Cook visited “a team of talented engineers and craftspeople helping make iPhone possible.” The company, which is based in Normandy, provides key components for the Face ID technology found on the upcoming iPhone X.
Thanks to my friends at Eldim, a team of talented engineers and craftspeople helping make iPhone possible. Bravo pour votre travail! ???????? pic.twitter.com/hEpxD3iBGf
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 9, 2017
“More recently, this has evolved into making components that allow for ‘optical analysis of angular characteristics,'” reads the report. “Apparently, a version of this technology is one of the critical components being used in the new Face ID system for the iPhone X.”
Apple and Eldim have reportedly been working together for almost ten years, according to the French company’s CEO, Thierry Leroux. According to Leroux, working with Apple has been “an incredible adventure,” but also added that their relationship hasn’t been without its challenges.
“For us, it was a little like sending someone to the moon,” said Leroux.
“It’s great what you have done for us,” responded Cook.
