On February 7th, the AI Glasses Index opened strong, showing initial gains before retracting as the day progressedAccording to data from Choice, it ultimately closed up by 1.17%. The rise in the index has piqued the interest of the technology community, particularly with rumors swirling around a potential product launch from XiaomiIndustry discussions surged after the discovery of the “Xiaomi Glasses” official Weibo account, raising expectations for an early release of their AI glasses productHowever, Xiaomi’s PR chief Wang Hua clarified via Weibo that this account had been created years prior and was not a new initiative.

Upon investigation, it appears that the “Xiaomi Glasses” account currently boasts a modest following of approximately 6,290 fans and belongs to Xiaomi Communication Technology Co., LtdLooking ahead to 2024, reports are suggesting Xiaomi's plans to unveil a new generation of AI glasses in collaboration with Goertek, with a release anticipated in the second quarter of 2025, targeting an initial shipment of around 300,000 units

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Notably, Goertek also serves as a key supplier for Meta's VR wearable devices, indicating a robust partnership in the evolving realm of smart eyewear.

AI and AR glasses have been prominent topics of discussion and innovation for quite some timeAt the CES 2025 conference, several notable advancements were showcased, including the collaboration between Thunderbird Innovations and TCL, which introduced the Thunderbird V3 AI shooting glassesOther companies such as Lei Shen Technology, Le Xiang Technology, and Kang Guan Technology also released their latest AI glasses models, contributing to a vibrant marketplaceInternational Data Corporation (IDC) has projected that by 2025, the global market for AI glasses will see shipments reaching an impressive 12.8 million units, reflecting a 26% year-on-year increase; in China alone, shipment numbers are expected to reach 2.8 million units, marking a staggering growth of 107%.

In a recent report, Huatai Securities highlighted that with Meta's glasses leading the charge in the AI glasses wave, the so-called "hundred glasses war" this year is poised to create new avenues for growth within the consumer electronics supply chain

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This surge could also provide fertile ground for domestic giants like DeepSeek to implement their large models, supported by ideal hardware platforms and application scenariosKey players within this supply chain include Xiaomi Group (overarching design and branding), Sunny Optical (cameras), Goertek (acoustic optics and assembly), Longqi Technology (PCBA), AAC Technologies (components), Qualcomm (SoCs), Hengxuan (SoC chips), ChipSoul (ISP IP), Doctor Glasses (channels and fittings), Konica Minolta (lenses), and Essilor Luxottica (lenses), among others.

After the market opened, shares of these related companies rose alongside the momentum of the AI glasses index but faced a decline during the afternoon sessionThis fluctuation can be attributed to noticeable rotation trends in the secondary marketWhile the concept of AI glasses is undoubtedly breathing new life into the consumer electronics sector, many enterprises are still in the anticipation phase, with actual orders and improved performance metrics not yet fully realized.

In their report, Huatai Securities also emphasized that the currently top-selling AI glasses on the market generally lack display capabilities

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This represents a transitional phase before the arrival of fully-functional AR glassesTransitioning from AI glasses to full-color AR eyewear involves numerous technological hurdles that must be overcomeWhen it comes to display technology, advancements are needed in areas such as resolution, color accuracy, and contrast to achieve a more vivid and realistic visual experienceEnhancements in power management and chip design are crucial for optimizing energy consumption and extending battery life, addressing one of the most common consumer concerns of wearability.

Another critical issue is how to solve vision correction effectively, delivering convenient and accurate solutions tailored to accommodate diverse user needsInnovations in human-computer interaction are equally vital; exploring more natural and efficient interfaces, such as voice recognition and gesture control, could significantly enhance user experience

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Additionally, cost reduction strategies are necessary through technical innovations and scalability, lowering production costs to ensure the products are competitively priced in the market.

Looking forward, observers anticipate that by 2026, technologies involving etching or nano-imprinting techniques for diffractive waveguide AR glasses are likely to matureThis evolution could usher in a new era of AR experiences for users, dramatically expanding the application scope of such technologiesThe synergy between advancements in AI, hardware capabilities, and user experience will likely continue to energize this field.

Apart from Xiaomi's buzz creating a ripple effect, AI glasses also stand to gain from the accelerating trends surrounding DeepSeek's edge AI technologiesA report by Guotai Junan pointed out that the high inference performance models distilled from DeepSeek R1 would expedite the deployment of edge AI, driving demand for AI smartphones, AIPC, and AI glasses hardware