BUSINESS

In Depth: AI Glasses Lead a New Wave of Wearable Tech

Published: Aug. 8, 2025 8:46 p.m. GMT+8

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A new wave of Chinese-made smart consumer hardware is coming over the horizon, with tech heavyweights and startups making aggressive moves into the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered wearables market, both in their home market and beyond.

In June, Xiaomi Corp. started selling its first pair of AI glasses, with features including video recording and calls, QR code scanning for mobile payment, simultaneous translation and a voice assistant that can be used to control other Xiaomi gadgets.

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What Happened When

2019：: Remo Tech launched its first-generation AI camera.

2020：: Sharge Technology was founded. Rokid started global expansion by selling AR glasses with infrared temperature measurement.

June 2023：: Plaud.AI launched the AI-powered recorder Plaud Note.

July 2023：: Jianglinpai launched its first voice conversation model, Anyone.

Late 2023：: Meta Platforms Inc.'s Ray-Ban Meta series second-generation AI-powered glasses hit the market.

November 2024：: Baidu Inc.’s Xiaodu unveiled its first AI glasses.

May 2024：: Sharge Technology launched presale for its first AI glasses.

September 2024：: Rheofit launched its AI-powered automatic massage roller.

January 2025：: Rayneo launched X3 Pro AI glasses.

First half of 2025：: Baidu Xiaodu's AI glasses were originally scheduled to go on sale (subsequently delayed).

June 2025：: Xiaomi Corp. started selling its first pair of AI glasses.

July 2025：: Alibaba Group introduced its first AI glasses, slated for release by the end of 2025. Rayneo CEO Li Hongwei spoke at an event regarding AI glasses strategies.