At present, after the popularity of AI smart rings, another intelligent wearable product category, AI smart glasses, is in a stage of explosive growth. The technological breakthroughs and market growth of AI smart glasses are accelerating. According to Sina Finance, Meta and EssilorLuxottica are considering doubling their annual production capacity of AI driven smart glasses to 20 million pairs by the end of 2026! Insiders say that the potential growth driven by strong demand, if market conditions permit, could exceed 30 million sets of production capacity.

*The image material comes from the internet

Analysis of the Reasons for the Explosion of AI Glasses

AI glasses, also known as artificial intelligence glasses, are intelligent wearable devices that integrate artificial intelligence technology. They include AI voice assistants, Bluetooth headphones, translation, navigation, sunglasses, travel, chat services, and image/video shooting functions. The explosive growth of the AI glasses market is closely related to its portability and wearing foundation. According to Geng Chen, Chief Analyst of the Electronics Group at Huachuang Securities, glasses are worn on the face and can be used around the clock. Users do not need to carry additional terminals, and their lighter weight does not impose a burden on them. Smart glasses can fully perceive the user's "visual" and "auditory" senses. Due to the proximity of the camera/microphone position of smart glasses to the user's glasses and mouth, their shooting content is basically the same as the user's perspective, making them more interactive compared to other smart terminals.

*The picture shows Xiaomi AI glasses, sourced from Xiaomi's official store

Local governments have introduced policies to support the development of the AI glasses industry chain

The Action Plan for High Quality Development of the Next Generation Display Industry in Shanghai (2026-2030) was issued on July 22, 2025. The plan proposes to develop multi form eyewear products such as AI AR and AI MR, focusing on key technical indicators such as lightweight, low power consumption, high resolution, and large field of view, promoting iterative innovation of key components such as display devices, waveguide lenses, and core chips, continuously improving product performance, encouraging innovation in product models and eyewear forms for the next generation of silicon-based microdisplays, and accelerating the development of full-color and portable smart eyewear products.

In addition, Bao'an District in Shenzhen has issued the "Action Plan for Promoting High Quality Development of the Smart Glasses Industry in Bao'an District (2025-2027)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Action Plan"), which clearly states that by 2027, the number of smart glasses industry chain enterprises in the entire district will exceed 100, 2-3 well-known enterprises in the industry will be cultivated, and more than 10 deep application projects will be created to help Shenzhen build the "world's first city for smart glasses industry".

New Source Optics:

31 years of focus on smart wearable devices

Sapphire cover glass manufacturing.

At present, the AI glasses industry chain is mainly divided into upstream hardware and software, midstream whole machine manufacturing, downstream applications and channels, and other links. Among them, the upstream optical display module, main control and AI chip, sensors and cameras, interaction module, power supply, etc. are the core chain of AI glasses manufacturing. In the camera chain section, sapphire camera protective glass may have broad application prospects in the explosion of AI smart glasses.

The function of AI glasses devices has shifted from information display to real-time interaction, and the camera (module) on AI glasses needs to withstand challenges such as frequent touch, falling, and environmental erosion. Sapphire glass, with its 9-level Mohs hardness (second only to diamond), scratch resistance, high temperature resistance, and ultra-high transmittance, has become the preferred material for high-end AI glasses and camera protection glass.

However, sapphire processing is not an easy task. Its high hardness makes cutting and polishing extremely difficult, and the yield rate directly affects costs and delivery cycles. Xinyuan Optics has 31 years of sapphire processing technology accumulation, with a processing yield rate at the leading level in the industry, providing AI glasses brands with a solution that combines performance and cost advantages. Welcome customers and friends with relevant needs to consult~