The investment landscape for AI glasses is just beginning to take shapeRecently, Shanjiji Technology hosted a press conference to unveil its new AI eyewear product, the Shanjiji AI "Snap Glasses" A1, marking its entry into the realm of mass-produced smart glasses.

This innovative eyewear combines multiple high-tech features including a camera, speaker, and an AI assistantIt boasts an impressive Sony 16-megapixel camera with a 123-degree ultra-wide-angle lens, is powered by a cutting-edge low-power ARM platform from Ziguang Zhanrui, and offers an extended battery life with a 6500mAh power bankFurthermore, it supports HI-FI sound quality for audio playback.

Shanjiji has partnered with several prominent suppliers such as Sony Semiconductor, AAC Technologies, LOHO, and CloudWalk TechnologyFrom an industry perspective, the introduction of the "Snap Glasses" A1 marks it as the first AI camera glasses to be mass-produced domestically.

As the latter half of the year progresses, the domestic AR/AI glasses market has witnessed a surge in new products, leading to what is being dubbed the "Battle of the Hundred Glasses,” entering a crucial phase of commercialization

With rising demands for technological implementation, AI glasses are becoming key vehicles in the intelligent hardware sector, approaching a groundbreaking era.

The shift in focus for Shanjiji Technology into the flourishing AI glasses market is notableInitially founded at the end of 2019 with a primary emphasis on charging and energy storage, Shanjiji has experienced a strategic pivot under the direction of founder Zhang Bo.

Zhang's team entered the consumer electronics landscape through the 3C industry, initially joining Meizu, a pioneer in large-screen smartphones, in 2012. Ultimately, after exiting their position in the competitive space, the team gained a comprehensive understanding of the 3C industry, including its niches and technological advancementsIn 2020, they officially founded Shanjiji Technology to establish their unique brand from scratch.

During their initial endeavors, the team recognized the ongoing evolution of battery technology, bringing together innovations such as gallium nitride and silicon carbide to create distinct charging products in both design and functionality.

Despite entering a saturated market, Shanjiji distinguished itself through its premium design and craftsmanship, paving the way to a high-end strategy that helped fill competitive gaps often faced by startups regarding scale and cost.

Currently, the company's charging products have utilized platforms like Kickstarter for international online sales, while also establishing collaborations with automotive giants such as NIO and Great Wall, as well as in the cultural sector with hit projects like "The Wandering Earth 2," expanding their presence in mid-to-high-end markets

Evidently, Shanjiji has achieved notable insights and successes in reconstructing entrepreneurial opportunities amidst a saturated market.

After successfully navigating early competitive rounds, Shanjiji recognized the limitations of being a niche brandWith their innovative capabilities validated, they wondered about the potential implications of their expertise across different product categoriesThe advent of the AI era presented them with fresh prospects.

It is widely acknowledged within the industry that the implementation of AI requires intelligent carriers, thus solidifying AI hardware as a new trendWearable tech, namely headphones and glasses, has become a focal point of development in recent yearsThey are capable of serving as complementary or alternative devices to core technologies like smartphones, all while addressing a substantial market poised for interaction.

Among these devices, glasses have emerged as a preferred option for AI integration

According to IDC, the shipment growth of smart glasses was the fastest within the wearable sector at 128.2% in 2023, outpacing smart rings at 34% and smartwatches at 8.7% during the same period.

Current statistics point to over 30 companies globally entering the AI glasses sector, with an estimated product count surpassing 50. Notable participants include major tech brands like Apple, Microsoft, ByteDance, and Meta, demonstrating the vast scope of this emerging market.

In 2023, Shanjiji officially announced its intention to explore AI hardware, committing to the development and release of an AI glasses model within a yearFollowing this timeline, Shanjiji exceeded expectations with the unveiling of the "Snap Glasses" A1 on December 19, emphasizing endurance, high-definition imaging, audio quality, and advanced AI capabilities.

The introduction of the A1 reinvigorated confidence across the industry, particularly within the AI glasses segment, highlighting the potential of AI technology in enhancing hardware capabilities.

The emergence of the Shanjiji A1 resonates with the broader narrative of the AI glasses market

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Many trace the lineage of AI eyewear back to early iterations like Google GlassHowever, the collective innovation brought by Meta in collaboration with eyewear manufacturer Ray-Ban—resulting in the Ray-Ban Meta glasses—has undoubtedly ignited interest in this category.

As of the first quarter of this year, global smart glass shipments surged 217% yearly, totaling 260,000 units, while augmented reality glasses saw shipments of 100,000 units, reflecting a 56% growthBy May, sales of Ray-Ban Meta glasses alone may have exceeded one million pairs, demonstrating clear consumer interest.

Nonetheless, AI glasses remain an emerging category still in exploratory phasesWith approximately 2.6 billion globally myopic individuals, AI glasses hold great potential for innovation within the eyewear market.

While Ray-Ban Meta’s sales figures are impressive, the market's primary opportunities are still evolving

This realization is prompting numerous companies to venture into the AI glasses realmFor instance, Baidu launched its Xiaodu AI glasses this year, while brands such as Thunderbird Innovation, EyeTech, Xiaomi, Samsung, OPPO, Vivo, and Tencent are also gearing up to introduce their products.

Many of these announcements are preliminary, indicating intentions to develop products without necessarily aligning with mass production timelinesMost expect to deliver their products no sooner than Q1 of next year, with the most significant production rollout anticipated in the latter half of 2024.

Shanjiji, on the other hand, has capitalized on its timely launch, officially commencing sales just before the end of the yearThis strategy maximizes appeal to early adopters and aims to secure consumer interest at the outset of the market's evolutionIn an innovation-driven environment, capturing user attention can be a highly valuable asset.

From a marketing standpoint, Shanjiji adhered to classic strategies of partnering with eyewear brands, collaborating with the fast-fashion glasses brand LOHO from Hong Kong to enhance visibility for the "Snap Glasses" A1 as significantly as possible.

On the product development front, Shanjiji has devoted considerable resources to its AI R&D team to compete with the foremost contenders like Ray-Ban Meta

Recently, they successfully recruited Pan Xin, a former software engineer from Google Brain, known for his vast experience at tech giants like Baidu, Tencent, and ByteDance, to lead the AI-related technology research.

The hardware backbone supporting Shanjiji A1 includes components from renowned semiconductor firms such as Ziguang Zhanrui, AAC Technologies, Aiwei Electronics, and others.

To bolster their software ecosystem, Shanjiji has partnered with major players like iFlytek and CloudWalk Technology to develop a multi-modal AI capabilities framework, underpinning their ambitions in the evolving AI application ecosystem.

Consequently, the Shanjiji A1 has emerged as a robust synthesis of domestic technology and innovation.

Ultimately, Shanjiji successfully optimized the weight of the A1 to around 30 grams without compromising on performanceIt boasts an extended battery life three times that of competitors while incorporating a versatile processor and high-resolution camera, coupled with AI functionalities derived from collaborations with leading AI models.

Recognizing the varying usage scenarios for AI glasses users, Shanjiji A1 also offers multiple stylish magnetic sunglass lenses and includes a magnetic frame to block the camera—illustrating their commitment to user-centric design.

With a price tag set at 999 yuan, the A1 stands as a more accessible alternative compared to Ray-Ban Meta's 299 USD, making it an attractive option for consumers.

The strategic advantages underpinning Shanjiji's new product launch have instilled a sense of confidence within the company

Their founder and CEO disclosed during the launch that the “Snap Glasses” are projected to sell 500,000 units by 2025, achieving sales exceeding 600 million yuan, alongside the release of multiple designsThis positions the A1 as a product tailored for commercial success.

In conclusion, while Shanjiji's entry into the market is generating significant interest, the broader context of AI glasses still requires time to refine and adaptHistorical patterns indicate that even revolutionary products like the fourth generation iPhone or NVIDIA's traction in gaming GPUs often required years of iterative development before realizing their ultimate potential.

Current advancements in AI models and hardware will certainly undergo phases of trial and error before evolving into a cohesive ecosystemShanjiji's advantage lies in achieving early milestones that hint at the development of such an ecosystem