The hype surrounding smart glasses has reignited, and it's not the first time this technology has been thrust into the spotlightAfter Google's first release of smart glasses over a decade ago, various tech companies have ventured into this realm but have struggled to meet user expectationsHowever, the landscape is changing rapidly, particularly with the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) making its mark across industries, and smart glasses are no exception.
Last year marked a turning point as AI technologies gained substantial momentum, catalyzing a surge in the development of AI-integrated smart glassesCompanies like Baidu and Rokid have recently introduced their own versions of AI glasses, fueling the interest in this once cool, yet stagnant marketFurthermore, tech giants like Xiaomi and Apple are rumored to be exploring similar developments, with others such as OPPO, Vivo, Huawei, Tencent, and ByteDance evaluating their projects in this space.
So, what has propelled smart glasses back into the limelight this year as a promising application for AI? Are we on the brink of a revolutionary shift akin to the rise of the iPhone? As these technologies emerge, they present an intriguing convergence of camera capabilities, headphones, and AI assistance—all packaged in a pair of glasses.
The Features of AI Glasses: Cameras, Audio and AI in One
Among the latest offerings in the AI glasses arena, Baidu's Xiaodu AI Glasses and the Rokid Glasses developed in collaboration with fashion eyewear brand BOLON have caught the attention of consumersBoth products aim to enhance everyday life by integrating photography, audio playback, and AI communication functions.
Baidu's foray into AI glasses aligns with its ongoing strategy of combining AI with hardwareLeveraging its advanced Wenxin large model, touted as the "most proficient in Chinese", the Xiaodu glasses seamlessly integrate with Baidu's comprehensive app ecosystem, including maps, searches, and encyclopedias.
In contrast, Rokid has established itself as a leading player among the “AR four dragons” in the industry, contributing to nearly 28% of the market share for domestic AR terminals in 2023. The newly launched Rokid glasses incorporate algorithms from Alibaba's Tongyi Qianwen model, allowing for answering questions and real-time translation
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Rokid’s representatives have emphasized making their product accessible to all consumers with zero learning curves.
Slated for release in the first half of 2025, the Rokid glasses are expected to be priced at ¥2499 (around $350), while Xiaodu AI glasses could sit around ¥2100 ($290). Both products are geared towards addressing the market trends dominated by photography, sound, and AI interactivity.
The success of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses has undoubtedly influenced this trendLaunched in October last year, these glasses utilize Meta's latest AI model, Llama 2, and sold an impressive one million units by MayRecent figures suggest they may exceed three million sales this year, drawing attention and admiration from competitors.
Vloggers and video content creators are particularly excited about the hands-free first-person perspective that smart glasses can offerAlthough Meta's glasses faced criticism for their battery lifespan, underscoring users' concerns over extended usage without needing a recharge, improvements in battery technology have become a focal pointBaidu claims their Xiaodu AI glasses can last up to 56 hours on standby and provide five hours of continuous use for calls or music, addressing the longevity issues found in earlier models.
The Rise of AI Glasses
This year has seen a swell in interest from various tech companies in developing smart glassesNotable brands like "Li Wei Ke" and others are already launching AI glasses, signaling a robust market evolutionObservations indicate that the companies engaged in this sector can largely be classified into three categories: consumer electronics leaders such as Huawei and Xiaomi, internet giants like Baidu and ByteDance, and AR-specific firms like Rokid and Thunder Innovation.
For many, the transition from traditional eyewear to smart glasses represents a natural evolution without major adjustment challengesReports show nearly 700 million people in China wear glasses daily, providing a ripe audience for this tech-infused upgrade.
Market analysis echoes the sentiment that generative AI applications are increasingly penetrating the hardware domain, thereby promoting the growth of wearables, such as glasses and headsets, recognized for their potential to function as platforms for powerful AI technologies
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