With the continuous advancement of technology, eyes have gradually become the traffic entrance in the information age, and smart terminals represented by AI and AR glasses are ushering in new opportunities for development.
On November 12, Baidu released its first glasses, Xiaodu AI glasses, calling the product “the world’s first native AI glasses equipped with Chinese large models.” As soon as the news came out, keen investors began to search for "AI" and "chain" through channels such as the Huayi platform. Many listed companies in the smart glasses industry have revealed their current situation. Some are busy with mass production, while others are actively involved in research and development. Looking around the smart glasses market, Meta, Huawei, etc. are leading the development of the industry, and there are also many new and old "players" in the glasses track vying to enter the market. The east wind of "AI" continues to blow into the smart glasses market.
Industrial chain companies focus on R&D and are busy with mass production
From the perspective of the composition of AI glasses, display lenses are undoubtedly an important component. This part involves several major industries such as optics, display, and chips. Currently, optical solutions for optical waveguides and Micro LED displays have received widespread attention. Recently, many industry chain companies have updated their business progress in the field of AI smart glasses.
"AI will definitely drive the widespread application of AR glasses in the consumer field. For AR glasses with AI functions, void imaging is the key technology of the hardware, and optical waveguide is the mainstream solution. In addition, the core force that promotes AR glasses to enter the consumer market It is a technology giant company," Lin Min, chairman of Crystal Optoelectronics, told a reporter from Shanghai Securities News.
Crystal Optoelectronics recently stated in an institutional survey that the company will continue to increase its R&D investment in AR, and is especially committed to solving the problem of mass production of reflective light waveguides. The company aims to build a golden mass production of reflective light waveguides next year. Wire.
Because Micro LED uses smaller chips and more advanced packaging processes, the pixel pitch can be smaller. It is mainly used in market spaces that are difficult for small-pitch LEDs to enter, such as applications with pitches below 1.0mm or where higher resolution requirements are required. high customers.
Leyard recently said in an institutional survey that with the continuous decline in costs and technological breakthroughs, Micro LED will gradually enter a wider application field. In addition to large-screen displays, there are also to C small-screen applications. At present, Leyard's optical motion capture technology can be used for accuracy verification and evaluation of AI glasses positioning, 4D gesture tracking, etc., and has provided products to many domestic and foreign AR and VR glasses manufacturers.
In the field of product OEM, Jiahe Intelligent provides flexible interface design for intelligent hardware products including AR glasses to adapt to customer needs for different AI technologies. Currently, the company has shipped Shadowmu GO to consumer AR customer Shadowmu Technology. The company said that the development and introduction of subsequent updated iterative products and new customers of AR and AI glasses are progressing in an orderly manner.
In the field of sensors, Weir recently revealed that the company's image sensor products have advantages in small size and low power consumption that are highly adapted to the needs of end customers such as AR and VR, including AI glasses. In addition, the LCOS products developed by the company will provide more assistance in terms of economic adaptability and solution feasibility for emerging markets such as AR and VR, including AI glasses, with their high resolution, compact size, low power consumption and low cost. .
At the same time, many companies are rushing to reveal their latest layout in the field of AI glasses. Among them, Jingwang Electronics said that the company's HDI/Anylayer, soft-hard combination board, soft board, carrier-like board and other products can be used in AI smart glasses. The company pays close attention to the development trend of terminal intelligence and actively participates in the discussion and prediction of relevant solutions. Research to prepare for the next expansion of product categories.
USI said that AI glasses have high requirements for being thin, short, small, shaped and easy to assemble. SiP module technology can meet these needs and has advantages. The company's SiP module products have been used in similar products of customers. At the same time, the company's wireless communication SiP module can be applied to AI smart glasses products and will be mass-produced in 2025.
New and old “players” are entering the AI glasses track one after another
At present, the public generally believes that AI glasses add AI functions to traditional glasses, while AR glasses emphasize reality augmentation technology and bring users a new sensory experience. From this perspective, AI glasses can be seen as a transitional form of iteration from traditional glasses to AR and MR glasses.
According to IDC forecasts, the VR, AR, and MR markets will usher in a significant recovery in 2024. Equipment shipments are expected to grow by 46.4%, and the compound annual growth rate from 2023 to 2027 will reach 37.2%, demonstrating the strong market potential. Recovery momentum and growth momentum.
In terms of competitive landscape, Meta, Huawei, etc. have a relatively high share of the smart glasses market, and domestic brands have outstanding performance in the AR field.
Except for some major smart terminal manufacturers, some traditional "players" on the glasses track are waiting and watching, while others have taken advantage of the "AI" trend to develop new businesses.
Tianjian Co., Ltd. recently stated that the company has technical reserves such as open audio technology and spatial audio technology, and has the production capacity for various types of audio and optical products such as headphones and smart glasses. The company continues to pay attention to the technological development and application in the field of artificial intelligence, and will plan and layout related businesses based on market demand, its own business and technological development needs.
Yidao Information's AI smart glasses are already in the process of customized development. The company stated that the relevant markets are in the early stages of industry development, consumption habits need to be cultivated, and there are still uncertainties in market expansion.
Mingyue Lens revealed that while focusing on its main business, Mingyue is actively paying attention to the layout of forward-looking technologies in the optometry industry. It has great room for imagination in aspects such as smart glasses AR and VR imaging display applications. Overseas leading companies have recently made many moves and In terms of products, the company has also fully laid out its plans and strengthened cooperation and exchanges with other companies in the industry. Currently, cooperation with Xiaomi is progressing in an orderly manner.