What's Happening?
Rokid Glasses, a new competitor to Meta Ray-Bans, have raised over $1 million in pre-orders within three days of launching a Kickstarter campaign. The glasses offer advanced features such as a head-up display, support for 89 languages, and native ChatGPT integration. Rokid, a Chinese company with a presence in Silicon Valley, aims to ship the final product by November 2025. The glasses are priced at $599, with a 20% discount for early backers. Rokid has been developing smart speakers and glasses since 2014 and has partnered with over 200 museums in China for immersive digital content.
Why It's Important?
The success of Rokid Glasses in pre-orders highlights the growing interest in advanced smart eyewear technology. This development could intensify competition in the smart glasses market, particularly against established brands like Meta. Rokid's focus on features over style may appeal to tech enthusiasts and early adopters, potentially influencing market trends and consumer preferences. The introduction of these glasses could also drive innovation and expansion in augmented reality applications, impacting industries such as retail, tourism, and education.
What's Next?
Rokid plans to begin mass production of the glasses in October 2025, with shipping expected in November. The company is preparing different versions for various markets, including features like wireless payment in China and turn-by-turn navigation in the U.S. Meta is set to unveil its next smart glasses at the Meta Connect event, which may include new features to compete with Rokid's offerings. The competitive landscape is likely to evolve as both companies aim to capture market share and expand their product lines.
