Imagine slipping on a pair of glasses that can instantly translate any text you see or capture life's special moments from your own perspectiveThis once sci-fi fantasy is now a reality thanks to the emergence of AI-powered glassesAs we march into the new year, the technology landscape is buzzing with excitement and innovation, particularly surrounding the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas from January 7th to 10th.

This year, CES showcased a remarkable emphasis on AI glasses, which have entered something of a “battle royale” scenario in the tech spaceLeading companies such as Goertek, Raytheon Technology, and TCL's Thunderbird Innovation, to name a few, have stepped into the spotlight, unveiling their latest smart eyewear productsThis shift marks a significant evolution in the tech industry's focus, hinting at a promising future for augmented and virtual reality spectacles.

In 2024, major players including Huawei, Xiaomi, Baidu, Meizu, Apple, Samsung, and Google are racing to stake their claims in the AI glasses market

According to preliminary statistics from VR Troposphere, the CES featured an impressive 59 Chinese companies presenting in the “AR/VR/XR” sectorWhile AI glasses have yet to see widespread adoption among consumers, the excitement surrounding this technology is unmistakably palpable.

Pand Xuefei, the Research Director at IDC China, provided insights indicating that by 2025, the global market for AI glasses is projected to reach a staggering 12.8 million units shipped, a 26% increase year-on-yearChina alone is expected to witness a shipment volume of 2.8 million units—an astonishing growth of 107%.

“The AI glasses market has never been this vibrant; it seems almost overnight, companies across the tech spectrum, from the internet sector to traditional phone manufacturers, are focused on AI eyewear,” remarked Li Hongwei, the founder and CEO of Thunderbird Innovation.

At CES, Thunderbird Innovation introduced its V3 AI filming glasses, developed in partnership with Dr

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Glasses, with a starting price of approximately 1799 yuanThese glasses are equipped with advanced imaging systems, along with Alibaba's exclusive customized model named Tongyi Qianwen, integrating functionalities typically separate in distinct devices such as cameras, AI recognition, headphones, and regular eyewear.

The integration of diverse functionalities—translation, photography, and video recording—marks these AI glasses as a cornerstone in the application of artificial intelligence within consumer electronicsThey are shaping a new frontier, spurring vendors to accelerate their investments.

Pand noted the current market players can be categorized into four main groups: internet companies, large smart hardware manufacturers, tech innovation firms, and traditional eyewear manufacturersEach group possesses its strengths, enough to carve its niche in this competitive landscape.

For instance, internet giants like Meta and Baidu excel in large-scale models and software ecosystems

On the other hand, established hardware companies leverage their extensive experience in hardware design, having developed comprehensive ecosystems and robust distribution channelsMeanwhile, innovative tech firms like Thunderbird zero in on AR and VR solutions, while traditional eyewear brands maintain proximity to their customer base, often collaborating with tech companies to enhance their offerings.

When looking at shipment volumes, the consumption of AI glasses in China is merely in the low millions, a stark contrast to the smartphone market, which sees shipments in the hundreds of millions, or in the smart tablet segment, with tens of millions shipped annuallyThis vast discrepancy underscores that the AI glasses industry is still in its nascent stages, akin to a tender seedling with much growth ahead.

According to research by CITIC Securities, the year 2026 is likely to be pivotal for the AI glasses supply chain to demonstrate significant performance releases