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… several underperforming overseas stores.
Still, Chagee’s fundamentals remain stable. Q3 marked its 11th consecutive profitable quarter, with positive cash flow and no interest-bearing debt. As of September 30, its registered membership base reached 222 million, up 36.7% YoY, while its store closure rate stayed at 0.3%, well below the industry average of 2–10%.
The key challenge now lies in reengaging domestic consumers. Chagee’s shares closed at USD 13.73 on December 8, more than 50% below its IPO price. Citi expects same-store sales to remain under pressure next quarter but maintains a buy rating, citing shareholder-focused initiatives while labeling the stock a high-risk opportunity.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3581012124040073">article</a> was written by Xie Yunzi for 36Kr.

Chagee looks to regain momentum as post-IPO cooldown deepens in Q3

East Asia

Chagee

China

Consumer Economy

… robotaxis becomes vital. If we reach two million per year, even better.
<h3>36Kr: Some automakers developing robotaxi capabilities sell far fewer than one million vehicles annually. With DeepRoute.ai’s scale and data, will you reach readiness faster?</h3>
MZ: We have an advantage, but nothing is certain. Between 500,000 and one million vehicles, the data gap is not huge. I believe at least some automakers will succeed.
<h3>36Kr: What makes data-driven robotaxi development difficult? If the path is clear, why do only a few companies execute well?</h3>
MZ: Because their <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a> capabilities are weak.
<h3>36Kr: How do you define that?</h3>
MZ: AI capability is tied to organizational structure, culture, talent, and cognitive foundations. Without adequate capability, data remains dormant. We started as an AI-native team, unlike some peers whose personnel mainly come from traditional engineering backgrounds.
<h3>36Kr: What if competitors strengthen their AI capabilities?</h3>
MZ: Some traits are embedded in a company’s DNA. For companies built entirely around traditional engineering, shifting into an AI company is difficult. Cultural systems do not change easily. As an AI-native company, it is somewhat easier for us to build engineering capabilities, but it is still painful.
In 2024, when we pursued certain projects, we often heard that our demos were great but we could not be chosen due to our lack of mass production experience and engineering capability. Over the past year, through our work with GWM, we addressed these shortfalls. Then we onboarded another major customer with strict quality control standards, which strengthened our capabilities further.
Through these two customers, we built our engineering muscle. It is no longer a weakness, and we will not lose opportunities because of it. Today, when automakers evaluate city NOA suppliers, DeepRoute.ai is at the table.
<h3>36Kr: Cost sensitivity is increasing industrywide. Some argue that self-developed chips can reduce assisted driving costs. How will DeepRoute.ai respond?</h3>
MZ: For assisted driving, self-developed chips do not make economic sense. A seven-nanometer chip costs USD 300 million to USD 500 million to develop. If annual installations reach one million units, that is already strong, but even at three million, the cost per vehicle is still at least USD 100. How do you amortize that R&amp;D?
From a cost standpoint, self-developed chips do not hold up. Some companies assume they will dominate the market before they make in-house chips, but unless you are a Huawei-type company with strong brand power and not using Nvidia’s general-purpose GPU architecture, you cannot command pricing power. The economic logic does not work.
Self-developed chips also bring export control risks. What happens when you expand globally? This matters as well.
<h3>36Kr: So only major players can build chips, but software companies can work with chipmakers. Is DeepRoute.ai pursuing this?</h3>
MZ: Absolutely. Whether it is Qualcomm, Horizon Robotics, or <a href="/company/nvidia">Nvidia</a>, we maintain very close relationships. No single company can take the entire market.
<h3>36Kr: So DeepRoute.ai has no long-term plans to build hardware?</h3>
MZ: I believe the industry needs division of labor. Older companies favored vertical integration, but newer companies may not. The US provides many examples, with no single Silicon Valley company doing everything. Division of labor is necessary.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3569701874793345">article</a> was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.

China’s assisted driving race narrows to three, and DeepRoute.ai is catching up fast

Transportation

Autonomous Vehicles

Mobility

… match local lawn conditions, so few brands can truly break into the US. Competition there is milder than outsiders assume.
A simple test: I once asked 100 random Americans if they had heard of lawn-mowing robots. Everyone said no.
In Europe, penetration is higher. Even so, we’ve chosen to focus on offline channels because European business is essentially B2B. Product quality is the foundation, but long-term partnerships depend on channel strategy, commercial policy, and after-sales support—not price.
Online competition may look intense, but much of it is limited to e-commerce. Falling prices and chaotic pricing structures create the illusion of a price war. Offline, the situation is different.
Many leading brands rely too heavily on online promotions, which disrupt pricing systems and squeeze dealer margins. They also divert after-sales resources online, weakening offline service quality. This imbalance limits offline expansion, and that’s where we see opportunity.
<h3>36Kr: What’s the progress on channel expansion?</h3>
HY: Building offline networks in the US takes time, so our current focus there is online. In Europe, we are centered on offline partnerships.
We’ve established localized teams in Europe and stationed experienced marketing staff there, and many of them are early international veterans from Huawei, ZTE, and TCL. We’ve already secured cooperation with key distributors and maintained steady shipments.
I’m confident that by 2026, we’ll be in an even stronger position.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3575230680104073">article</a> was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.

Airseekers secures Series A funding after overcoming delivery struggles

Deep Tech

… 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3579207954725767">article</a> was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.

Didi sustains profit growth in Q3 as overseas expansion accelerates

Didi

On-demand Services

Ride-hailing

Food Delivery

Grocery Delivery

Latin America

Malaysia's largest carmaker, Perodua, rolled out its first homegrown <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicle</a>, the QV-E, on December 1.
The QV-E is positioned as a national milestone in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's drive to localize EV technology, expand domestic supply chains, and reduce reliance on foreign automakers.
The sportback EV, in development since 2023 at a cost of MYR 800 million (USD 194 million), uses a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery manufactured by China's <a href="/company/catl">Contemporary Amperex Technology</a> (CATL) and is priced at MYR 80,000 (USD 19,400), excluding the battery, which is leased separately.
Perodua makes the QV-E at its "smart mobility" plant in Rawang, northwest of Kuala Lumpur, which will have an initial capacity of 1,500 cars per month. The plant will be ready for production by the end of December, according to senior company executives. Perodua is also partnering with Malaysian assembler Tan Chong Motors for the next phase of its expansion.
The QV-E features a 52.5 kilowatt-hour LFP battery with an estimated range of 445 kilometers on a full charge. The vehicle supports 60-kilowatt DC fast charging and is powered by a 150 kW motor that accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 7.5 seconds. The platform was co-developed with Austria's Magna Steyr and includes advanced safety systems such as "Child Presence Detection," which can sense movement and breathing in the rear seats.
Perodua also introduced Malaysia's first "battery-as-a-sservice" program, separating ownership of the car and the battery. The leasing scheme allows Perodua to guarantee battery health and performance over a nine-year contract, while managing end-of-life disposal and recycling. The move is intended to ease customer concerns over battery degradation and poor resale value, which remain barriers to EV adoption.
"Perodua's achievement showed that Malaysian engineers could deliver advanced manufacturing under tight timelines, despite uneven technology transfer from international partners," said Anwar on December 1 during the official launch of the car, adding that Perodua's work demonstrated Malaysia's ability to "lift the nation's dignity" by nurturing homegrown talent.
Perodua president and CEO Zainal Abidin said the company worked with more than 52 Malaysian suppliers and collaborated with local universities to build skills in electrical engineering, battery systems and EV design. The number of vendors is expected to reach 70 by 2030 as localization deepens. Local procurement this year alone is forecast at MYR 11 billion (USD 2.7 billion).
Chief engineer Chok Jia Jiunn, speaking to Nikkei Asia, said the company designed the vehicle around the tastes of Malaysians, who prefer a "dynamic exterior," with an "aerodynamic and sporty" design. Chok described the model as a "sportback," although it will be classified as a hatchback under Malaysian regulations. He added that the battery leasing scheme directly addresses the most common consumer anxiety.
"Malaysians are not afraid to buy EVs, they are concerned about battery degradation. This is why Perodua will offer the leasing program and take 100% responsibility for the battery," he said.
whereRelatedArticle
Malaysia hopes EVs will make up 20% of <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/malaysia-auto-sales-lead-in-southeast-asia-for-second-consecutive-quarter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">annual vehicle sales</a> by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Perodua's first EV model follows the introduction of Proton's e-MAS 7 in 2024 and the affordable e-MAS 5 last month. With Perodua's total sales expected to exceed 359,000 vehicles this year, the company said it aims to maintain its position as ASEAN's second largest carmaker by volume. Malaysian government data showed that Perodua sold 289,210 cars and Proton 125,120, translating to market shares of 41.6% and 18%, between January and October this year.
<a href="/business/automobiles/electric-vehicles/proton-signals-new-era-of-homegrown-evs-in-malaysia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Proton's e.MAS 5</a>, launched at the end of October, marks a pivot from niche EV enthusiasts to mass market electric mobility in Malaysia. The B-segment hatchback, or subcompact small car, is priced from just under MYR 60,000 (USD 14,550), making it the country's most affordable EV. Proton's chief branding officer, Salawati Muhammad Yusof, said the company designed the e.MAS 5 around Malaysian lifestyles: compact enough for city driving yet practical enough for small families or daily commuters.
"We wanted a car that fits every kind of lifestyle in Malaysia," she told Nikkei Asia.
Proton's EV also uses a LFP battery made by <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/markets/commodities/lithium-prices-china-producer-shares-sink-on-reports-of-catl-mine-restart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CATL</a>, supports DC fast charging, and comes with a large 14.6-inch infotainment display. It also features remote charging management via Proton's app ecosystem and a live charging station map to reassure first-time EV owners switching from gasoline-powered cars.
Proton argues that affordability alone will not encourage EV adoption but that a robust ecosystem will. The company has rolled out a nationwide network of 45 authorized dealers and ten body and paint centers, after-sales support, and forged partnerships with charging point operators so that about 90% of public chargers are integrated into its service map. Salawati said this infrastructure is critical to give Malaysians confidence in EV ownership.
Proton's e.MAS 5 and Perodua's QV-E illustrate two very different approaches to bringing EVs to typical Malaysians. The e.MAS 5 hits the market as the country's cheapest EV. Its Prime variant starts at MYR 56,800 (USD 13,774), while the Premium model is priced up to MYR 69,800 (USD 16,926.5). These prices exclude insurance costs.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/business/automobiles/electric-vehicles/malaysia-s-perodua-launches-first-homegrown-ev">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

Malaysia's Perodua launches first homegrown EV

Electric Vehicles

Malaysia

Southeast Asia

Consumer tech brand Nothing has announced two major moves: appointing former Loewe chief marketing and communications officer Charlie Smith as its chief brand officer, and launching a new USD 5 million community investment round.
The initiatives address two longstanding challenges for the company: capital and brand. Industry observers view them as important steps toward strengthening Nothing’s financial foundation and brand strategy as it prepares for a potential IPO within the next three years.
Smith will join Nothing’s executive team in January 2026, reporting directly to Carl Pei, the company’s founder and CEO. In his new role, he will oversee global brand strategy, including brand identity, marketing, external communications, and retail space design.
Smith joined Loewe in 2018. During his tenure, the brand appeared multiple times on the Lyst Index, which tracks what it considers fashion’s “hottest brands and products.” He also led high-profile collaborations with Studio Ghibli, On, and Japanese ceramics studio Suna Fujita.
<figure id="attachment_158749" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-158749" style="width: 480px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-158749" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nothing-Carl-Pei-Charlie-Smith.jpg" alt="Photo of Carl Pei and Charlie Smith." width="480" height="480" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nothing-Carl-Pei-Charlie-Smith.jpg 1080w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nothing-Carl-Pei-Charlie-Smith-720x720.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nothing-Carl-Pei-Charlie-Smith-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nothing-Carl-Pei-Charlie-Smith-360x360.jpg 360w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nothing-Carl-Pei-Charlie-Smith-768x768.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nothing-Carl-Pei-Charlie-Smith-600x600.jpg 600w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Nothing-Carl-Pei-Charlie-Smith-300x300.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-158749" class="wp-caption-text">Carl Pei (left) and Charlie Smith. Photo source: Nothing.</figcaption></figure>
Alongside the appointment, Nothing is opening a new round of community funding at the same valuation as its Series C round: USD 1.3 billion. Early bird access opens December 10 on Wefunder and Crowdcube, followed by a public opening on December 11. The company emphasized that although its business has grown since the Series C raise, the new round maintains the same share price.
“This could be one of the last chances for the public to participate before an IPO,” Nothing said in a statement.
In September, the company closed its USD 200 million Series C round. To date, Nothing has raised more than USD 450 million from investors including Tiger Global Management, Google Ventures, Highland Europe, EQT, and Qualcomm Ventures. It also has nearly 8,000 community investors, who have contributed about USD 8 million across previous rounds and participate in governance through a rotating community board seat program.
Nothing aims to be IPO-ready within three years, according to Pei, though the exact timing will depend on market conditions and what is most appropriate for the business.
Founded in 2020, Nothing focuses on consumer electronic hardware and ecosystem development. Its product line includes <a href="/industry/smartphones">smartphones</a> and true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds. In July, the company launched its third flagship smartphone, the Phone (3), and entered the over-ear audio category with the Headphone (1). Pei recently revealed that Nothing plans to introduce its first <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a>-native devices next year.
<figure id="attachment_155560" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155560" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-155560" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nothing-Headphone-1.jpg" alt="Image of the Headphone (1) by Nothing." width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nothing-Headphone-1.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nothing-Headphone-1-720x405.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nothing-Headphone-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nothing-Headphone-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nothing-Headphone-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Nothing-Headphone-1-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-155560" class="wp-caption-text">The Headphone (1), produced by Nothing. Image source: Nothing.</figcaption></figure>
According to 36Kr, the company has shipped several million devices to date, generated more than USD 1 billion in cumulative revenue, and achieved roughly 150% year-on-year growth in 2024.
As the global smartphone market stagnates, Nothing is attempting to differentiate itself through bold design, deep community co-creation, and a distinct brand identity. With AI reshaping the smartphone landscape, the company’s ability to sustain growth through its community, design ethos, and AI strategy will be central to realizing its IPO ambitions. Smith’s appointment underscores Nothing’s intention to move beyond a utilitarian tech image and evolve into a culturally influential consumer brand.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3584977997134982">article</a> was written by Ou Xue for 36Kr.

Nothing taps Loewe’s Charlie Smith to lead branding ahead of funding push and IPO plans

Smartphones

Europe

… headwinds:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Profitability uncertainty: Sustaining high R&amp;D investment is essential but will continue to pressure margins.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Reliance on external funding: Negative operating cash flow and limited self-sufficiency make the IPO a critical liquidity event.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Valuation-performance mismatch: Despite strong revenue growth, its first-day P/S exceeded 600, well above sector norms, suggesting expectations may be overheated.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Intensifying competition: China’s AI accelerator market is far more crowded than in 2020. In addition to Nvidia and AMD, domestic competitors such as Huawei, Hygon, Cambricon, MetaX, T-Head, and Kunlunxin are scaling rapidly, while major internet companies are developing their own chips.</li>
</ul>
Google’s development of its tensor processing units (TPUs) illustrates how in-house chip design can enable tighter software–hardware integration, potentially improving performance and cost efficiency for AI workloads. As tech giants deepen their chip strategies, Moore Threads’ addressable market for general-purpose GPUs may shrink, intensifying competition and requiring even greater R&amp;D investment.
After the IPO excitement fades, Moore Threads may find itself constrained by a valuation paradox: priced for years of future growth before that growth is secured. Sustaining momentum will depend on whether it can deliver the performance gains that its current valuation already assumes.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3582411689999492">article</a> was written by Ding Mao for 36Kr.

Moore Threads makes record IPO debut as China’s AI chip fever rages on

Artificial Intelligence

Semiconductors

On December 4, <a href="/company/insta360">Insta360</a>-led drone brand Antigravity officially launched its first consumer product, the Antigravity A1 drone.
Through a series of technical innovations, the Antigravity A1 separates flight control into two independent systems: motion sensing for flight, and head tracking for the viewing angle. This design fully decouples drone navigation from camera perspective, making the A1 the first drone in the industry to combine 360-degree panoramic capture, immersive first-person view (FPV), and motion-based control in a single system.
The Antigravity A1 system consists of three hardware components: the A1 drone, vision goggles, and a grip motion controller:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The vision goggles use a lightweight pancake optical system, keeping the headset at 340 grams. Inside are dual 1-inch micro OLED displays with 2560×2560 resolution per eye, delivering crisp, detailed visuals. They support up to 150 minutes of continuous use on a single charge. When worn, the goggles receive real-time 360-degree footage from the drone via the OmniLink 360 transmission system, which has a maximum range of ten kilometers under FCC standards. Users can look around simply by turning their heads, without affecting the drone’s direction or speed.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The grip motion controller replaces traditional joysticks with an intuitive “point-to-fly” mechanism. Users raise an arm, point in a direction, and press the trigger; the drone then flies accordingly. The simplified control scheme lowers the entry barrier and lets users focus more on the flight experience. For advanced pilots, a full FPV mode remains available for precise manual control.</li>
</ul>
<figure id="attachment_156830" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-156830" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-156830" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Antigravity-A1.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Antigravity-A1.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Antigravity-A1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Antigravity-A1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Antigravity-A1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Antigravity-A1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-156830" class="wp-caption-text">The Antigravity A1 drone pairs with vision goggles and a grip motion controller, enabling a 360-degree aerial view through head tracking without altering the drone’s flight path. Image source: Antigravity.</figcaption></figure>
Imaging is another key feature of the Antigravity A1. The drone is equipped with dual lenses on a 1/1.28-inch sensor, capable of recording 8K 360-degree video at 30 frames per second, 5.2K at 60 FPS, and 4K at 100 FPS. Insta360’s FlowState stabilization ensures smooth, shake-free footage.
This approach fundamentally changes aerial filming. Because the drone records the entire 360-degree environment, users no longer need to manage framing during flight. Creators can reframe footage in postproduction, exporting front-facing, top-down, or orbiting shots from the same panoramic recording.
The Antigravity A1 is supported by software features such as “Deep Track,” which automatically identifies and locks onto a subject, correcting misalignment during shooting. “Smart Framing” enables cinematic motions including whip pans, spiral ascents, and orbiting fly-arounds, with one-tap commands.
Designed for everyday use, the drone weighs only 249 grams, qualifying for registration exemptions or simplified rules in many regions. Its modular body includes replaceable lenses and automatic landing gear that protects the camera during takeoff and landing. Battery life is rated at 24 minutes with the standard pack and up to 39 minutes with the extended battery.
To ensure safety, the drone includes an obstacle avoidance system using dual fisheye lenses for omnidirectional sensing. Forward-facing detection matches the flight direction to enhance reliability. An onboard load-monitoring system recognizes external attachments or unauthorized modifications, ensuring the drone is used only for its intended experience and creative purposes.
The Antigravity A1 is now available through the brand’s official website and on Tmall, <a href="/company/jd">JD.com</a>, and <a href="/company/douyin">Douyin</a> stores.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3582357628746881">article</a> was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.

Insta360’s Antigravity debuts A1 drone with 360-degree view and motion control

Insta360

Drones

… Auto.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Hardware makers play defense</h3>
For all-rounders like Alibaba, Google, and Baidu, expanding their hardware entry points is almost inevitable. Their ecosystems already include nearly every competitive element needed for the glasses race: computing power, foundational models, strong app ecosystems (search, payments, navigation), and massive user bases. Google even controls its own operating system.
AI glasses represent the only major hardware gateway missing from their maps, and this may explain why Alibaba and Baidu have adopted particularly aggressive approaches. A person at Alibaba said the company is pursuing a “saturation attack” in the category, covering both hardware and software. Song Gang, who leads smart terminal development at Alibaba’s intelligent information business, told reporters after Quark’s AI glasses launch that Alibaba plans to invest in the category continuously and for the long term.
A Baidu employee told 36Kr that AI glasses have been designated a key strategic product internally. After launching its Xiaodu glasses at last year’s Baidu World conference, the company spent the following year reevaluating the product definition.
Consumer electronics giants, by contrast, are taking a more measured approach. AI glasses combine elements of prescription glasses (or sunglasses), wireless earbuds, voice recorders, and action cameras. For these companies, entering the category is as much a defensive move as a search for a second growth curve. Industry insiders who have spoken with several smartphone makers told 36Kr that, aside from Xiaomi, companies such as Vivo and Oppo have been cautious over the past year.
<h3>Full-blown competition</h3>
Competition in AI glasses is now possible because hardware barriers have fallen sharply. As tech giants jumped in, the smartphone supply chain followed suit, including suppliers such as GoerTek, Luxshare Precision, and Foxconn. Several standard reference designs have already emerged. Among the many AI glasses launching late this year and early next year, a default configuration has taken hold, built around Qualcomm’s AR1 and BES2800 chips.
An industry veteran told 36Kr:
<blockquote>“China’s AI glasses supply chain now works at this speed: sample in three months, mass production in six, shipment in nine.”</blockquote>
This collective push has shortened development cycles and kept hardware costs in check.
“A walk through Huaqiangbei shows you everything: AI glasses with Bluetooth audio for RMB 35 (USD 4.9), AI glasses with cameras for RMB 499 (USD 69.9), and glasses with an all-green AR display for RMB 999 (USD 139.9),” the person said.
But when the hardware threshold drops so low that companies from nearly any background can cheaply and efficiently produce AI glasses, what becomes the industry’s true inflection point?
The harsh reality of the category is its low tolerance for flaws. Any weak link can sink an entire product, and several cautionary tales have already emerged this year. Xiaomi’s <a href="https://kr-asia.com/xiaomi-steps-into-smart-eyewear-with-voice-enabled-glasses-built-for-everyday-use">first-generation AI glasses</a> saw return rates as high as 40%. The issues were not catastrophic: some stemmed from unoptimized Bluetooth connections, while others were related to poor chip selection or adaptation.
Players with deep resources are undoubtedly the strongest contenders in the race to build the most popular AI glasses. But this phase will ultimately test something less tangible: how much patience each company is willing to invest in securing the next major hardware gateway.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3580901936659331">article</a> was written by Qiu Xiaofen for 36Kr.

Li Auto joins China’s tech giants in the AI glasses race with Livis