Rokid to Unveil Lightest Full-Function AI & AR Smart Glasses at New York Launch Event

Rokid is set to launch its AI Glasses, the world's lightest full-function AI & AR smart glasses, in New York City on August 26, 2025. The glasses combine advanced AI productivity tools, AR navigation, real-time multilingual translation, live transcription, and a 12MP first-person camera. Powered by the Qualcomm AR1 platform, the glasses deliver enterprise-grade performance with consumer-ready comfort and design. The event will feature a global product unveiling, industry insight panel, hands-on experience, and influencer party. Rokid aims to redefine wearable computing and make immersive computing accessible, light, and ready for real life.

Qualcomm, a leading player in the semiconductor industry, has recently unveiled the Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2 platforms, marking a significant step towards the mass adoption of wearables. These platforms, built on a 4nm process, offer enhanced performance, efficiency, and connectivity, addressing several foundational barriers that have hindered the growth of the wearable market [1].

The new chips introduce several innovative features, including NB-NTN satellite connectivity, machine learning GPS accuracy, and an optimized RF front end. These advancements are set to revolutionize the wearable industry by enabling two-way emergency messaging without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, a first for the sector. This technology, powered by Qualcomm’s partnership with Skylo, aims to make wearables more than just fitness trackers, transforming them into trusted companions [1].

John Kehrli, Qualcomm’s Senior Director of Product Management for wearables, highlighted the significance of these advancements: “People want their wearables to be trusted companions, not just fitness trackers. Being able to send an SOS from anywhere changes the value proposition entirely” [1].

The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2 also address long-standing challenges in the wearable market, such as battery life and form factor. By combining a high-efficiency 4nm main processor with a 22nm always-on co-processor, Qualcomm can offload low-power tasks, extending battery life without compromising responsiveness. Additionally, the optimized RF front end enables a 20% reduction in footprint, allowing for sleeker and lighter designs [1].

The launch of these platforms comes at a critical time for the wearable market. While Android-based smartwatches have shown improvement, they still lag behind the Apple Watch in terms of mass-market penetration. Qualcomm’s strategy appears to focus on making the Android and multi-device ecosystem as compelling as possible, aiming to create devices that offer clear, everyday value [1].

One of the key advantages Qualcomm brings to the table is its cross-category presence. The company’s technologies span smartphones, PCs, automotive, and IoT, providing valuable insights into how devices interact and how user expectations evolve across different contexts. This positions Qualcomm to think about wearables not in isolation, but as nodes in a larger network of personal and environmental computing [1].

The Snapdragon W5+ Gen 2 and W5 Gen 2 platforms are set to be a game-changer for the wearable industry, positioning Qualcomm as a leader in the development of next-generation wearable computing devices. While the success of these platforms will depend on how well OEMs leverage their strengths to create devices that offer clear, everyday value, the conditions for broader adoption appear to be stronger than they’ve ever been.

References:
[1] https://www.technewsworld.com/story/qualcomm-bets-on-w5-gen-2-to-expand-wearable-adoption-179883.html