Rokid, a company specializing in AR (Augmented Reality) glasses, held a launch event on the 8th for the 'Rokid Smart AI Glasses' and its business strategy in the Japanese market.
Equipped with AI, these smart AI glasses will be available from July 10th at electronics retailers and online stores nationwide, priced at 109,800 yen.
During the event, Rokid revealed its global market achievements, the structure of its proprietary new OS 'AIOS' developed specifically for the smart AI glasses, and plans for a promotional tour across five cities in Japan.
Additionally, the company announced its intention to invest at least 1 billion yen in the Japanese market over the next year to intensify market development and expand its ecosystem.
Reporting World-Leading Market Share as Smart AI Glasses
Founded in 2014, Rokid is a Chinese technology company specializing in AR and AI. On the domestic crowdfunding platform 'Makuake,' 7,401 users supported Rokid, setting a record high in the platform's 13-year history as of May 2026.
According to Zoro Shao, VP and General Manager of Overseas Operations at Rokid, who spoke at the business strategy presentation, the company's products recorded a growth rate of over 600% year-on-year, achieving the top market share globally for AI glasses with displays. Additionally, Rokid reported leading market shares for AI glasses in both the U.S. and China.
Weiqi Zhao, Global Head of Open Ecosystem at Rokid, explained that AIOS is designed as a unique platform to enable diverse AI experiences on smart AI glasses. Furthermore, through integration with the 'Agent Store,' where developers and partner companies can offer AI agents for AI glasses, users can select AI agents for translation, meetings, search, tourism, education, and more, to use on Rokid Smart AI Glasses.
Zhao emphasized the importance of transforming the AI glasses into a device that continuously receives new features through integration with dedicated apps, rather than just ending with the purchase.
1 Billion Yen as the Minimum Investment, Preparing for Up to 10 Billion Yen
During the business strategy launch event, we interviewed Mr. Shao from Iolite.
──Why did you choose crowdfunding on 'Makuake' instead of direct sales for entering the Japanese market?
Mr. Shao: While starting with direct sales was an option, our goal was to test the market's reaction to our product. We wanted to thoroughly understand Japanese consumers' receptiveness and privacy concerns beforehand.
Based on the reactions and figures from the crowdfunding, we planned to expand our activities in Japan significantly. As a result, we broke the highest support record across all categories in Makuake's 13-year history. Looking back, I am convinced that starting with crowdfunding was the most correct decision for entering the Japanese market.
──Globally, major tech companies like Meta are also focusing on smart glasses. What do you consider Rokid's strengths compared to other companies?
Mr. Shao: Our strengths can be summarized in three main points.
The first is our 'software and OS capabilities.' We have a significant advantage in building our own OS and leveraging software performance.
The second is having one of the world's largest AI developer ecosystems. With over 30,000 developers already participating, we believe the speed of this ecosystem's expansion is on par with major IT companies.
The third is our 'hardware structure and lightweight technology.' We have mass-produced a diverse range of AI/AR devices across 11 generations, including monocular, binocular, integrated, and separate models, as well as waveguide (optical wavelength plate) technologies. For example, while competitors' monocular models with displays weigh about 69g, our product achieves an astonishing lightness of 49g, even with full binocular display and camera integration. We have clearly differentiated ourselves in structural design and material selection using our accumulated expertise.
──At the launch event, you stated that you would invest at least 1 billion yen in the Japanese market over the next year. What are the specific uses?
Mr. Shao: The 1 billion yen is merely a 'minimum investment line' for us. Depending on the business's growth, we are prepared to expand our investment up to 10 billion yen.
Specific investment targets include 'expanding retail channels.' We aim to increase the number of stores handling our products beyond the current 75 and plan to open a flagship store in Japan by 2027.
Next is 'building local organizations and ecosystems.' We will strengthen hiring for our Japanese subsidiary, invest in the Japanese developer community, and promote integration with Japanese culture and regional communities through initiatives like the '5-city pop-up tour' announced today.
Additionally, as a 'marketing strategy,' we plan to expand recognition among more users by considering the appointment of ambassadors within Japan.
──In your global expansion roadmap, what role does the Japanese market play?
Mr. Shao: Japan is the highest priority market in our global strategy. The reason we chose Japan for the global debut of the 'Agent Store' and new agent features is due to its importance.
Our roadmap involves using Japan as a starting point to expand into the North American market, including the U.S. and Canada, from August 2026, and to further extend into the European and Middle Eastern markets in September, coinciding with a trade fair in Germany.
Experiencing Smart AI Glasses: The Demand for Translation Features
During the interview, I had the opportunity to experience the features of these Smart AI Glasses firsthand.
The first feature that stood out was the 'real-time translation function.' The aforementioned interview was conducted in Chinese and Japanese without an interpreter, with both myself and Mr. Shao wearing the Smart AI Glasses.
The Chinese spoken by Mr. Shao was instantly displayed in Japanese on my glasses, and vice versa for Mr. Shao. The translations appeared in expressions and speeds akin to everyday conversation, making the experience seamless and stress-free.
Another notable feature is the ability to scan business cards with the built-in camera, which then summarizes and displays the company profile on the glasses. This function uses AI to instantly analyze the scanned information and display a real-time overview of the company's business details.
Although there were no discrepancies in the information during the demonstration, there is no guarantee of 100% accuracy. However, it seems feasible to use this feature in spontaneous business card exchanges to some extent.
Before fully utilizing the glasses, it is necessary to download a dedicated app on a smartphone and connect it to the Smart AI Glasses via Bluetooth. While mastering all the features may take time, starting with the functions you wish to use and gradually exploring others is a practical approach.
In any case, I was impressed by the real-time translation capabilities, and although its use is currently limited to certain scenarios, it seems viable for some business situations.
On the other hand, the high price point, due to its multifunctionality and target demographic with higher income levels, could be a barrier to purchase. It is strongly recommended to experience the features in-store first and consider purchasing when the product aligns with specific business needs.
