Latest news with #Rokid
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Chinese startup brings cutting-edge AI glasses to the masses
Zhu Mingming, founder and CEO of Rokid, a Hangzhou-based technology company, poses for a photo at Rokid's flagship store in Yujiang District of Yingtan, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) NANCHANG (July 28): A decade after founding Rokid, entrepreneur Zhu Mingming turned heads at an economic forum in February with a simple remark: 'My speech is in my glasses, so I don't need a transcript.' Standing casually behind the podium in a hooded sweatshirt, Zhu confidently told the audience he was using a smart ring to flip through virtual slides on his AI glasses. Within hours, the clip went viral on Chinese social media, sparking a wave of inquiries from viewers eager to know where they could buy the product. Zhu, known as 'Misa' in tech circles, recently showcased the same model, Rokid Glasses, at an experience store in his hometown, Yujiang District of Yingtan City, in east China's Jiangxi Province, a region long regarded as a trade and production hub for eyewear. What made that February moment stand out wasn't just the technology; it was how seamlessly the glasses blended into everyday life. 'While I'm speaking here, I'm also checking my WeChat messages on a virtual screen right in front of my eyes, and you probably didn't even notice,' he said at the store. 'In the past, many people wanted smart glasses, but they were either too bulky, too clunky, or their AI capabilities were not strong enough, so in the end, they were little more than a Bluetooth headset,' Zhu said. Unlike those early models, the new-generation Rokid Glasses weigh just 49 grams, resemble regular eyewear, and offer robust battery life. Zhu credits much of this progress to rapid AI advancements in recent years. Zhu encouraged visitors at the store to try on the smart glasses. 'Give them a try, and you'll decide for yourself whether they could become an everyday device like smartphones in the future,' he said. 'A good product should first be a good pair of glasses,' Zhu added. 'Then a good headset, a good camera, and ultimately, a great AI device.' In addition to browsing social media and watching videos, the device can project real-time captions, translations, navigation prompts, and AI-generated answers directly onto the lens, powered by leading Chinese AI models such as DeepSeek and Doubao. With simple voice commands, users can ask for directions, identify objects, receive call notifications, or even solve math problems, without ever reaching for their phone. A staff member demonstrates a pair of smart glasses developed by Hangzhou-based technology company Rokid at Rokid's flagship store in Yujiang District of Yingtan, east China's Jiangxi Province, July 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai) 'It's rare, even globally, for a company to develop such a highly integrated and fully functional product in such a lightweight form,' Zhu said. 'That's only possible because we've stayed committed to this path for the past 10 years.' Around 90 percent of Rokid's funding goes into research and development (R&D), which makes it a highly R&D-driven company even by global standards. 'Our booth is very popular in the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas,' Zhu said. He noted that Rokid aims to make smart glasses an affordable everyday tech product. Priced at around 3,000 yuan, they are far more accessible than many international models that cost over 10,000 yuan. While similar products from other companies failed to win over consumers, Rokid is now facing the challenge of fulfilling orders on time, with over 300,000 units already sold. 'We didn't expect to be overwhelmed this quickly,' Zhu admitted. He is convinced that smart glasses are set to become the next transformative platform after smartphones. However, he acknowledges the industry is still in its early stages, with the main challenge being educating the market to attract more users. With a series of Rokid's innovative products in tow, Zhu is taking his next big step in his hometown. Yujiang is home to over 260 eyewear companies and ranks among China's top five optical manufacturing bases. But most of its industry remains focused on trade and conventional manufacturing. Rokid has signed a strategic agreement with the local government and plans to establish a production base, integrate the local supply chain, and forge cooperation with local colleges to train a new generation of technicians. 'The talent is already here,' Zhu said. 'People in Yujiang understand eyewear. Now we just need to help them understand smart glasses.' Zhu acknowledged the journey won't be quick, but he remains optimistic. 'If we can help transform the local traditional eyewear industry into a more innovative one, that would be the most rewarding outcome of all.' – Xinhua AI glasses artificial intelligence China technology
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Alibaba previews its first AI-powered glasses, joining China's heated smart wearable race
Alibaba Group Holding has entered the fierce smart glasses race in China, previewing its first pair of AI-powered glasses at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai – the country's largest annual AI event. The Quark AI glasses, named after Alibaba's AI assistant, were showcased to the public for the first time at the event on Saturday. The company said it had completed development of the product and was aiming for an official launch this year, although no specific date was provided. This marks Alibaba's debut in the smart glasses market, which has seen heightened local competition as domestic firms like Rokid and Xreal have rushed to release new products in recent months. Alibaba, owner of the Post, also struck a partnership with augmented reality glasses maker RayNeo earlier this year to provide AI support for the Hong Kong-based company's products. 'AI glasses will become the most important form of wearable intelligence – it will serve as another pair of eyes and ears for humans,' said Song Gang, head of smart terminal business at Alibaba's Intelligent Information business group, during a sub-forum. The move by the Hangzhou-based tech giant is part of a broader strategy to enhance its AI offerings. In February, Alibaba committed to investing US$53 billion in AI infrastructure over the next three years. Alibaba is doubling down on its investments into AI software and hardware. Photo: AP
Android Authority
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
Rokid's AR glasses are the wearable monitors you need, and they are now 30% off for Prime Day
Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority The idea of smart AR glasses is an enticing one — imagine continuing your work, catching up on movies and TV shows, or playing your favorite games on a large screen, even when you're away from your monitor or TV. The technology is evolving, and evolving rapidly, going from large, bulky devices that weren't particularly powerful, to sleek, 'regular' frames that will give you a theatre-like experience wherever you are. And one name to remember in this space is Rokid. There's little you can't do with Rokid's AR glasses — the Rokid Max 2, Max, and the AR Joy bundle — allowing you to carry your work, entertainment, and gaming in your pocket. And this week, you can jump into the AR space for cheap with Rokid's Prime Day deals. Here's what you need to know. Rokid Max 2: More comfort, improved performance The Rokid Max 2 features a Micro-OLED panel, providing a massive 215-inch Full HD screen wherever you are. You'll also get a 50° field of view, more than most competitors, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a solid 600 nits brightness. The overall image quality is excellent, with colors that pop and plenty of sharp detail, letting you enjoy all your favorite content on the go. If you wear prescription glasses, the Max 2 comes with focus dials built in for near-sighted adjustments from 0.00 to -6.00. And for everything else, you can order prescription lenses that are extremely easy to swap out, making the Max 2 a great fit for families, even if everyone wears 'normal' glasses. Compatibility is one of the Rokid Max 2's biggest positives. You can directly plug the AR glasses into any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or handheld gaming console with the USB-C cable, as long as the device supports DP output. You'll need adapters for everything else, but you can then add gaming consoles and the Nintendo Switch to the list. And to cover all your entertainment needs, we recommend getting the Rokid Station. This add-on accessory, which can also be purchased as part of the AR Joy package, brings the entire Google TV experience to these AR glasses. It's identical to what you'd get with any Android TV device, including access to thousands of movies and TV shows on your favorite apps like Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, and any app you can download from the Google Play Store. Whether you're commuting to work, on a plane, or just spending time outside, you'll never run out of content to watch. But if you plan to spend hours working, gaming, or watching videos while wearing these glasses, comfort is a crucial consideration. Again, that's another area in which the Rokid Max 2 excels. It's sleeker, lighter, and more similar to regular glasses compared to the previous generation. An upgraded soft air nose pad and flexible temple arms provide a more comfortable wearing experience, while a titanium alloy hinge adds durability. If you're looking for a wearable 'screen' to play games, watch movies, or get some work done on the go, the Rokid Max 2 is among the best AR glasses you can get. And for Prime Day, you can take advantage of a massive 30% discount, bringing its price down to just $379. Rokid Max and AR Joy bundle: Similar performance with a more affordable price tag While the Max 2 brings some improvements, particularly in the design and comfort departments, the first-generation Rokid Max remains an impressive option if you're after performance. Most things stay the same. You'll also get a 50° field of view, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 600 nits of brightness, along with a Full HD resolution. The image and sound quality are excellent, and it also comes with built-in near-sightedness correction. Compatibility is a highlight as well, with the Max usable with most smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles, handheld or otherwise. And for your entertainment needs, you can pick up the Rokid Station to get Google TV. The Rokid Max may not be as comfortable as the Max 2, but it can still be used for hours without issue. Other than that, you'll enjoy a largely similar viewing experience overall, and save a decent chunk of money as well. For Prime Day, Rokid is also offering a 30% discount on the Max, bringing its price down to just $259. If you're also planning to get the Rokid Station, which you should absolutely do, you can bundle the Max and Station for even more savings, with the AR Joy bundle priced at $348 during the sales event.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Liangzhu, the coder 'village' at the heart of China's AI frenzy
HANGZHOU: It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, and dozens of people sat in the grass around a backyard stage where aspiring founders of tech startups talked about their ideas. People in the crowd slouched over laptops, vaping and drinking strawberry Frappuccinos. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A drone buzzed overhead. Inside the house, investors took pitches in the kitchen. It looked like Silicon Valley, but it was Liangzhu, a quiet suburb of the southern Chinese city of Hangzhou, a hot spot for entrepreneurs and tech talent lured by low rents and proximity to tech companies like Alibaba and DeepSeek. "People come here to explore their own possibilities," said Felix Tao, 36, a former Facebook and Alibaba employee who hosted the event. Virtually all of those possibilities involve AI. As China faces off with the US over tech primacy, Hangzhou has become the centre of China's AI frenzy. A decade ago, provincial and local govts started offering subsidies and tax breaks to new firms in Hangzhou, a policy that has helped incubate hundreds of startups. On weekends, people fly in from Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen to hire programmers. Lately, many of them have ended up in Tao's backyard. Now Tao's home is a hub for coders who have settled in Liangzhu, many in 20s and 30s. They call themselves "villagers", writing code in coffee shops during the day and gaming together at night, hoping to harness AI to create their own companies. Hangzhou has already birthed tech powerhouses, including Alibaba and DeepSeek. Graduates from Hangzhou's Zhejiang University have become sought-after employees at Chinese tech firms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Mingming Zhu, founder of Rokid that makes AI-enabled eyeglasses, said govt officials had helped him connect with Rokid's earliest investors, including Alibaba founder Jack Ma. But some said the govt support had scared off some investors. Founders said it was difficult to attract funds from foreign venture capital firms, frustrating their ambitions to grow outside China. Another uncertainty is access to the advanced computers chips. Many in Tao's backyard said the atmosphere in Hangzhou, set on the banks of a lake that was muse to generations of poets and painters, fuelled their creativity. Lin Yuanlin, whose Zeabur provides back-end systems to those making apps and websites, said he can lean over to someone in a coffee shop or wander into a neighbour's living room and learn what kind of support they need for their startups. Lin found himself going to Liangzhu so often that he moved there.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
Rokid's new AR glasses are pretty much a face-hugging laptop in disguise
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Rokid's AR Spatial glasses ditch the traditional desk and toss a massive 300-inch virtual screen right in your face. At just 75 grams and made with aerospace-grade materials, the Max 2 glasses are built for long hauls, and they play nice with prescription eyewear. Powered by Rokid's own YodaOS Master, the system handles multiple windows and apps without the lag or bugginess you'd expect from typical AR gear. Rokid today released the AR Spatial glasses that aim to blend AR into your everyday life, ditching the usual desk setup and changing how (and where) you get things done. AR Spatial's setup pairs the Max 2 AR glasses with the new Station 2 hub, and together they whip up a giant 300-inch virtual screen that hangs in your line of sight. Rokid's announcement says it's built with the always-on-the-go crowd in mind, so it might just be useful for remote workers juggling apps or anyone tired of squinting at a cramped laptop screen in busy spots. The Max 2 AR glasses are lightweight at just 75 grams and tough enough thanks to aerospace-grade materials. They're comfy enough to wear for hours, and if you've got prescription glasses, they'll fit right over them without a hitch. These AR glasses also have built-in diopter adjustment from 0.00D to -6.00D for nearsighted users, plus customizable pupillary distance so everything lines up just right. AR Spatial skips the usual AR headache and just works with what you already have, like your phone, tablet, or laptop. If you want the full desktop experience, just hook up a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and you've got a portable setup that actually feels familiar. Rokid's AR Spatial runs on its own custom OS, YodaOS Master. You can juggle multiple virtual windows, jump between apps without lag, and skip the usual slowdowns that drag other AR glasses down. Rokid's AR Spatial has already made the rounds at big-name events like CES 2025 and Milan Design Week. It's not the cheapest gear out there, but at $648, the AR Spatial bundle brings a lot to the table. If you want to knock the price down, just punch in LAUNCH70 at checkout and it drops to $578. You can snag it now from Rokid's site or one of its retail partners.
