What's Happening?
Rokid, a Chinese company with a presence in Silicon Valley, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its new AI glasses, raising over $1 million in pre-orders within three days. The Rokid Glasses offer advanced features such as a head-up display, support for 89 languages, and native ChatGPT integration. These features position them as a strong competitor to Meta's Ray-Bans, which are also popular in the smart glasses market. The Rokid Glasses are priced at $599, with a 20% discount for early backers, and are expected to ship in November 2025.
Why It's Important?
The rapid success of Rokid's pre-order campaign highlights a growing consumer interest in advanced smart glasses technology. This development could intensify competition in the smart glasses market, challenging established players like Meta. The introduction of features such as a head-up display and extensive language support may set new benchmarks for future smart glasses, prompting other companies to innovate and enhance their offerings. The success of Rokid's campaign also underscores the potential for Chinese tech companies to expand their influence in the global market, particularly in the U.S.
What's Next?
As Rokid prepares to ship its glasses, the market will likely see increased competition, with Meta expected to unveil new smart glasses at its upcoming Meta Connect event. This could lead to a race among tech companies to introduce more advanced features and competitive pricing. Consumer response to these developments will be crucial in determining market leaders in the smart glasses segment.
