“Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily”, November 12 (Editor Song Ziqiao, Reporter Huang Xinyi) Today (November 12), Baidu unveiled its first glasses, Xiaodu AI glasses, on Baidu World 2024, calling the product “the world's first native AI glasses equipped with a large Chinese model”, which has functions such as first-perspective shooting, knowledge encyclopedia, audiovisual translation, and smart memos.

According to reports, the glasses use Wenxin's large model as a technical base. Thanks to the DuerOS AI native operating system, which was completely restructured based on Baidu Wenxin's big model at the beginning of this year, Xiaodu achieved significant improvements in model usage effectiveness and efficiency. Take AI conversation chat as an example. With the application of large model capabilities, the number of rounds of interaction between Xiaodu devices and users has increased 7 times.

Through the cloud and the large model, Xiaodu AI glasses can be used independently or with an app.

In addition, the Xiaodu AI glasses weigh only 45g; equipped with a 16 million pixel ultra-wide-angle camera and self-developed AI anti-shake algorithm; combined with a four-array microphone and a customized open leakproof speaker unit, which can identify the direction of the sound source and distinguish between the wearer and others; using a low-power circuit architecture design, they can achieve 56 hours of standby time, support continuous listening for more than 5 hours, and can be fully charged for 30 minutes.

Li Ying, vice president of Baidu Group and CEO of Xiaodu Technology, said that Xiaodu AI glasses will be officially launched in the first half of next year. Li Ying said that as a first-perspective device for humans, AI glasses can capture information such as vision, sound, and location, which will bring people an unprecedented sensory extension, and will definitely become a more efficient and convenient entry point for human-computer interaction.

Currently, Xiaodu AI glasses have only updated a promotional video on the Xiaodu Mall. The “Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily” reporter learned from the on-site booth staff that the price of these smart glasses has not yet been finalized; it is probably around 2,000 yuan.

These smart glasses were developed by Xiaodu Technology, a subsidiary of Baidu. Xiaodu Technology, formerly known as Baidu's smart lifestyle business group business, was spun off and operated independently in 2020. Its own-brand equipment has covered various smart hardware categories such as smart screens/smart speakers, smart learning machines, girlfriend machines, fitness mirrors, and AI tablet robots.

In addition to Baidu, many major consumer electronics companies are currently actively developing smart glasses. According to the “Science and Technology Innovation Board Daily”, the current price of mainstream smart glasses on the market is around 2,000 yuan, and there is no obvious advantage in the pricing of Baidu AI glasses:

Ray-Ban Meta: Jointly created by Meta and eyewear giant Ray-Ban, a brand owned by the eyewear giant Luxottica (Luxottica). The price starts at 299 US dollars (approximately RMB 2,160);

Rokid AR Lite and Rokid Max Pro AR glasses by Rokid start at 4,499 yuan;

Thunderbird Air 3 and Thunderbird X2, owned by Thunderbird Innovation, are priced at 1,699 yuan and 4,999 yuan respectively.

Societe Generale Securities said that headphones and glasses are expected to become important carriers of end-side AI. The main considerations are: 1) voice and images are two important modes of interaction, especially sound. As the main interaction entry point for AI agents at this stage, the importance goes without saying. Headphones and glasses can perform voice interaction functions well; 2) Headphones and glasses have portability and a foundation to wear, are light in weight and do not burden users; 3) price advantages. Compared with other terminals, headphones and glasses are cheaper and are expected to penetrate faster.

The AI+ eyewear market is gradually rising. In particular, Ray-Ban Meta was a huge success. After joining Llama3, sales increased further, and AI+ glasses have huge room for future growth. Compared to AI headsets, the AI glasses industry chain is relatively early. SoC chip and OEM manufacturers are similar to AI headsets. If they have a display function, that is, AR glasses.

Bank of China Securities said that the iteration of AR eyewear software and hardware is accelerating, and the pace of development and industry space can be expected. Companies that are deeply involved in the AR glasses supply chain and have core barriers are recommended.

In terms of machine assembly, including Goertek, Lixun Precision, and Longqi Technology; in terms of SoC, focus on Hengxuan Technology, which is expected to establish an advantage in low-power AR exclusive SoCs; in terms of micro-display optoelectronics, focus on LCoS supplier Vail shares. Since Micro LED suppliers are all unlisted companies, it is recommended to focus on Sunyu Optics Technology and Fuguang Co., Ltd.; in terms of diffraction optical waveguide solutions, it is recommended to focus on Shunyu Optics Technology, Ruisheng Technology, and Blue Optics. Kay; acoustics On the other hand, focus on Goertek shares and Minxin shares, which are expected to benefit from the upgrading trend of microphones and speakers of AR glasses; on the PCB side, focus on the trend of increasing FPC integration of AR glasses.