China's new generation of tech disruptors is capturing worldwide attention. From the stunning aesthetics of Black Myth: Wukong to the powerful DeepSeek large language models and agile humanoid robots, a cohort of companies is reclaiming what it means to innovate in the East. Among these rising stars is Rokid, the Hangzhou-based pioneers reshaping the future of human-computer interaction through its AI+AR smart glasses.
At the center of this revolution stands Misa Zhu, founder and CEO of Rokid. During a recent interview, Zhu demonstrated the promise of AI+AR, delivering part of the interview through his own Rokid Glasses, hinting at the progressive fusing of the boundary between the digital and physical world.
From "Tech Mirage" to Reality
At only 49 grams, Rokid Glasses appear deceptively simple. But beneath the familiar eyewear frame lies a powerful fusion of diffractive optical waveguide, natural language processing, real-time translation, navigation, and payment capabilities. Rokid has achieved a futuristic, instantly usable consumer product with this form factor.
"We've seen people willing to pay multiple times the price to get their hands on the first batch," said Misa. "The curiosity and acceptance among everyday users is real." But with viral attention comes pressure. "Going viral is a test," Misa added. "Now, we must meet rising expectations with product quality." In the final development stage, Rokid Glasses are expected to hit the US market in Q4 2025.
Rethinking the AI Glasses Market
Misa responded to many technologists asking: Will smart glasses replace smartphones?
Unlike smartphones, which sacrifice screen size for portability, smart glasses offer hands-free, full-screen augmentation without physical limitations. Rokid's vision isn't about eliminating phones but about how we use them. In this future, the phone may remain in your bag, quietly handling processing tasks, while the glasses act as your primary interface.
While many international AI glasses today focus on camera and social functions, Rokid has intentionally charted a different path. From the outset, its product was conceived as an "AI assistant"—an always-available, screen-equipped companion designed for practical, high-frequency interactions.
This core philosophy has led to powerful features like multi-language offline translation, with real-time subtitles projected directly onto the lens. Whether for global business travelers, doctors in remote clinics, or industrial workers in high-risk environments, Rokid Glasses unlock new capabilities without increasing cognitive load.
Internally, Rokid operates on a three-generation cycle, one generation in production, one in design, and one in R&D. This pipeline has helped Rokid stay one year ahead of global competitors in product maturity. Moreover, Rokid's domestic supply chain advantage allows it to move faster and control quality at every level. As global demand rises, this vertically integrated model positions Rokid as a formidable player in the international AI/AR race.
Leading with Purpose
Despite Rokid's estimated $1B valuation, Misa keeps his life simple, wearing cheap sneakers and company hoodies and believing that wealth is a responsibility. "If we don't use tech to empower more people," he says, "then we're not doing it right."
With ambition, humility, and persistent innovation, Rokid is building a new paradigm for how humans and machines interact. And that future may be closer than we think.
