Baidu Set to Launch AI Smart Glasses, Rivaling Meta’s Ray-Ban Glasses

Baidu is preparing to introduce AI-powered smart glasses at the Baidu World event in Shanghai next week, according to a Bloomberg report. This release places Baidu in direct competition with Meta Platforms and its Ray-Ban-branded smart glasses, which launched in 2021.

Key Features and Capabilities

The upcoming smart glasses will feature:

• Built-in cameras for photo and video capture,

• Voice interaction capabilities powered by Baidu’s Ernie AI foundation model.

The glasses are expected to hit the market in early 2025, with a potential price lower than Meta’s $299. This price point could make Baidu’s offering more accessible and appealing in a competitive AI-driven wearable market.

Baidu’s Strategic Expansion in AI and Smart Devices

Baidu’s venture into AI wearables leverages its AI developments through Xiaodu, Baidu’s hardware division valued at $2.9 billion in 2020 with backing from IDG Capital. Xiaodu has established a presence in the Chinese market with popular products like wireless earphones and voice-activated speakers that align with Baidu’s ecosystem of smart devices. The introduction of smart glasses extends Baidu’s AI reach and strengthens its position in the tech wearables sector.

Competition in China’s AI-Powered Wearable Market

Baidu is not alone in pursuing AI wearables. Rival ByteDance has achieved notable success with Doubao, a competing AI chatbot that outperforms Baidu’s Ernie Bot in popularity due to its user-friendly interface and social media integration. Furthermore, Apple has shown interest in entering the AI eyewear market, which could significantly influence industry dynamics due to its established brand and reputation for innovation.

Meta’s AI Glasses in Comparison

Developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica SA, Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have seen strong demand, with supply occasionally falling short. Meta has promoted these glasses as a flagship AI product, with EssilorLuxottica citing them as a key revenue driver. Baidu’s entry may intensify competition, potentially encouraging further advancements in smart eyewear technology.

What This Means

Baidu’s move into AI smart glasses signifies its intent to capitalize on advancements in AI and to solidify its standing in China’s wearable tech market. By pricing competitively and leveraging its existing hardware ecosystem, Baidu could appeal to consumers seeking innovative, affordable alternatives to Meta’s product. As major players like ByteDance and potentially Apple explore similar products, the wearable tech industry may see accelerated innovation and a wider array of AI-enhanced offerings.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.