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… <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3338868054913536">article</a> was written by Xie Yunzi and Zheng Huaizhou for 36Kr.

Maia Active finds second wind with Anta’s backing and a yoga-first strategy

East Asia

China

Retail

Consumer Economy

Chinese solar companies in the US are in a bind as sweeping legislation backed by President Donald Trump could bar them from receiving tax credits and subsidies that have spurred US solar manufacturing.
The 1,000-page "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" has been progressing through Congress, although it is still several steps away from enactment. A Senate draft was unveiled on June 16 after the House narrowly cleared an earlier version on May 22, meaning a compromise might need to be reached before a final bill is passed and sent for the president's signature.
But if enacted as envisioned, the bill would extend tax cuts and increase the national debt ceiling. It would also significantly change the tax credit system for the renewable energy sector, with new requirements for foreign entities of concern, or FEOCs. And these changes have China-linked solar companies worried.
"There are two groups of Chinese companies at the moment," said Ocean Yuan, president of solar distributor Grape Solar. "One group is completely giving up the US market due to the unsurmountable hurdles. The other group insists on knocking the door open by patiently working with local US partners."
Under the planned provisions, any entity that has more than 25% ownership by a Chinese company, or has ties to a Chinese military entity-listed firm, would be excluded from tax credits for clean electricity investments, clean fuel production and manufacturing next year. The bill would also accelerate the phase-out timeline for some of those tax credits for all producers by several years, to 2028.
Chinese companies like Jinko Solar, Trina Solar, and JA Solar invested millions of dollars to establish factories in the US over the last three years on the back of tax credits accrued under the Joe Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The investment credits were designed to boost investments in domestic clean energy development. Scaling back or removing them, critics say, will hamper the development of green industries in the US. At the same time, Chinese solar companies say the FEOC rules pose significant challenges for them and have expressed little hope for any amendments before the Senate votes on the bill.
"The bill is impacting our current operations and also our future plans, we're not sure if we should continue to invest," said one executive who requested anonymity to speak freely. "It has made it very complicated for us and our customers."
Disqualifying projects that do not meet the new Chinese ownership criteria could sideline initiatives already in development.
Further complicating matters, the tax bill also includes a clause that would disqualify companies from receiving tax credits if the components made received "material assistance" from foreign entities of concern. That could include components in a solar module like cells or polysilicon that are manufactured or designed by an FEOC, according to analysts.
The Senate draft includes a formula for calculating whether a project received "material assistance" from a foreign entity.
Currently, the manufacturing credits, called 45X, are given to factory owners based on each component produced. Under the present legislation, a solar module can receive USD 0.07 per watt, or USD 70,000 per megawatt. While those remain unchanged for non-Chinese companies, if a module uses foreign components exceeding the acceptable amount, the company might not receive the credits.
China produces 96% of the world's polysilicon, a key material for solar panels.
"The bill takes an aggressive approach toward trade, the language in the bill right now forces the decoupling," another Chinese solar representative said. "It really limits the supply of product that can qualify" for credits.
Yuan said there has been strong interest among upstream Chinese suppliers in setting up shop in the US since Trump started raising tariffs this year, but the bill has made them pause.
"For newcomers, when they see the problems of these large companies, they will hold off their investment plans until they figure out a safer way to engage in the US market," he said.
Advocates of targeting foreign entities of concern say that doing so will reduce overreliance on geopolitical rival China and ultimately bolster the American solar supply chain.
Most of the world's biggest solar players are from China, which has buoyed the industry through heavy subsidies. This has helped China adopt renewable energy sources but has also undermined prices and wiped out profits. The excess of solar panels domestically has pushed companies to look at overseas markets, including the US, where energy demand is growing thanks to an <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a> push.
The US added 8.6 gigawatts of new solar module manufacturing capacity in the first quarter of this year, the third-most new manufacturing capacity in a single quarter, according to Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) data.
Even before Trump’s trade war with China, during which the US leader raised tariffs on Chinese imports to as high as 145% earlier this year before reducing them to 30%, Chinese solar companies faced major headwinds in the US.
Solar imports from China already faced high tariffs in the US, prompting the companies to set up production bases in Southeast Asian countries. US manufacturers filed a petition alleging Chinese companies in those countries were flooding the market with cheap products.
The US International Trade Commission finalized <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/US-to-set-tariffs-on-solar-cells-from-Southeast-Asia-as-high-as-3-521">tariffs as high as 3,500%</a> on solar products from Chinese manufacturers shipping from Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper warned that the draft legislation would make it difficult for US manufacturers to do business and could threaten an energy shortage that would increase electric bills.
Ron Wyden, a Democrat and US senator, described the Senate draft as a "stake in the heart of American solar manufacturing."
"The manufacturing isn't going to happen here. It's going to happen in China," Wyden said. "Hundreds of thousands of jobs in manufacturing are now in danger."
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Trump-s-Big-Beautiful-Bill-threatens-to-pull-plug-on-China-solar-players">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>.

Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" threatens to pull plug on China solar players

Deep Tech

Energy

Li Auto unites R&D and sales to counter Xiaomi’s YU7 momentum

Transportation

Electric Vehicles

Mobility

Omoway, an electric motorcycle maker, has completed its seed and angel funding rounds, raising a combined eight-figure USD sum. The funding was jointly led by ZhenFund, HongShan, and Hui Capital, with founder He Tao and the core team also participating. The funds will support mass production and ongoing R&amp;D efforts.
Founded in 2024, Omoway was established by former <a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng Motors</a> co-founder He, alongside Jiao Qingchun, a former vice president at Xpeng. The core team includes Xiao Zhiguang, former head of Xpeng’s autonomous driving unit; P7 design director Zhang Lihua; and Chen Bifeng, former head of Vivo’s Indonesia operations, who now leads Omoway’s regional market expansion.
On June 20, Omoway introduced its first smart electric motorcycle prototype, the Omo X, at an event in Jakarta, Indonesia. The vehicle drove itself onto the stage in autonomous mode.
According to 36Kr, the production version of the Omo X is scheduled to be unveiled later this year, with a market launch in Indonesia expected in 2026.
Omoway is positioning Indonesia as its entry point into the global market.
Southeast Asia represents a significant portion of the global motorcycle market. According to 36Kr, research indicates that the region accounted for 24% of global sales in 2023, with an ownership base of 250 million vehicles and 12.42 million units sold that year. Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand led the market.
In Indonesia, motorcycles serve as essential daily transport due to limited public transit options and the high cost of car ownership. The country is the world’s third largest motorcycle market, with over 120 million motorcycles in use, equating to roughly one for every two people. In 2024, motorcycle sales surpassed 6.3 million units. Internal combustion engine models, primarily from Japanese and South Korean manufacturers, reportedly dominate more than 96% of the market.
Over the past two years, Indonesia's electric two-wheeler market has expanded rapidly, supported by a more developed local supply chain. Government policies promoting the transition to electric vehicles have helped electric motorcycle sales grow nearly 400% in 2024, although the overall penetration remains limited.
“Indonesians tend to commute long distances and ride frequently,” Omoway’s head of finance and capital Cai Yujie told 36Kr. “Many people not only use motorcycles for daily commutes, but also travel across cities on weekends, often for four to five hours each way. As a result, there’s high demand for performance in terms of load capacity, speed, range, and versatility. Current electric bike models mainly serve short distance travel, like students or stay-at-home parents. But the heavy-duty electric motorcycle segment still lacks strong contenders with robust product capabilities, supply chain control, and localization strategies.”
Founder He said the team carried out a yearlong market study in Indonesia, visiting both urban and rural areas across Java and engaging with local distributors and users. Omoway has since built preliminary partnerships with several regional dealers. Drawing on its automotive supply chain experience, the company claims to exceed traditional two-wheeler quality standards while managing production costs. Local manufacturing operations have already begun.
Omoway’s first electric motorcycle was customized for the Indonesian market, incorporating automotive-grade smart driving technologies adapted for two-wheelers.
The Omo X runs on Omoway’s proprietary Halo full-domain smart development architecture. Its Halo Pilot system uses visual sensing and self-balancing features to support stability at low speeds. The system also offers adaptive cruise control, one-touch parking, and remote summon functionality.
On the safety front, Halo Pilot uses advanced sensing algorithms, artificial intelligence, and big data models for real-time environmental monitoring. It includes multidirectional collision alerts and a collision assist brake (CAB) system, which applies braking when it detects imminent threats the rider does not respond to, reducing potential impact severity.
In terms of design, the Omo X introduces a convertible frame that enables users to switch between step-through, straddle, and touring modes.
Omoway maintains two headquarters: one in Guangzhou for R&amp;D, and another in Jakarta for production and sales.
“Indonesia is just the beginning,” He said. “Our ultimate goal is to bring highly intelligent products into every household. In the future, our self-developed automotive-grade technologies will be deployed across broader mobility applications. Localization will be the cornerstone of our global expansion strategy.”
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3353467104588677">article</a> was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.

Former Xpeng execs launch Omo X smart e-motorbike in Indonesia

Xpeng Motors

Indonesia

Southeast Asia

… sense, stablecoins may become more than just a payment tool—they could form the foundation for how value is moved, settled, and grown in a digitized world.
This article was published in partnership with <a href="https://www.htx.com/ventures">HTX Ventures</a>.
<hr style="margin-bottom: 20px;" />
About the author: This article is authored by Alec Goh, head of HTX Ventures, the global investment arm of HTX, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Goh leads strategic investments in high-potential digital asset projects, with a focus on infrastructure, compliance-first DeFi, and stablecoin ecosystems. Previously, he spearheaded the firm’s M&amp;A and investment efforts, contributing to its global expansion and some of the industry’s most notable exits. With a background in global finance and deep experience in structured transactions, Goh bridges institutional capital with the next generation of Web3 innovation.

Reimagining financial infrastructure: How stablecoins are quietly reshaping global value flows

Fintech

Cryptocurrencies

… sales. But interest waned as newer models like the Luxeed R7 and Zeekr 007 entered the market. Shoppers focused on specifications and price often shift quickly.
As platforms and supply chains standardize, differences among vehicles are becoming less noticeable. Competing solely on configuration and pricing may yield short-term gains, but it’s no longer a reliable path to brand loyalty.
For any automaker looking for sustained relevance, a business model based on genuine user needs is essential. This means evolving beyond functional benefits to offer emotional value—a brand story users connect with.
<a href="/company/tesla">Tesla</a> achieved this by becoming a symbol of innovation. Elon Musk’s ambitions in space exploration helped shape the company’s identity as more than just an automaker. Its minimalist design, performance benchmarks, and smart systems support a broader narrative: Tesla is for people who believe in the future.
<a href="/company/li-auto">Li Auto</a>, by contrast, focused on China’s middle-class families. Its formula of “fridge, television, and big sofa” was not just about features but an understanding of what provides comfort and security.
Xiaomi’s pitch is more personal. As uncertainty grows and pressures increase, younger consumers are seeking more emotional value. Xiaomi presents a narrative of self-delight: technology that not only solves problems but offers moments of joy. The SU7 and YU7 seem aimed at users who value style, individuality, and emotional resonance.
In a June 23 Weibo post, Lei explained why the YU7 isn’t a six-seater, bucking market trends. “SUV stands for sport utility vehicle,” he wrote. “We chose to stick to the original spirit of the category and build a true sports vehicle.”
He added, “Fridges, TVs, and big sofas are important, but so is the driver’s experience.” Xiaomi is turning this philosophy into product strategy.
Design serves as an emotional amplifier. While most family SUVs prioritize practicality, Xiaomi opted for a long, sculpted front even for an EV. Few other cars at this price offer comparable visual distinctiveness. For Xiaomi, aesthetics are now central to its automotive branding.
Xiaomi’s emphasis on speed and handling also recalls its early days in smartphones, when hardware performance was key. The YU7, while a family vehicle, retains some of that spirit through its material choices and tuning.
With a dedicated customer base, Xiaomi understands it must deliver what users value most. By carrying its passion-driven approach from phones into automotives, Xiaomi has seemingly created a car that reflects its brand first, and a family SUV second.
In a market largely defined by functionality, the YU7 blends technology with emotional appeal. This may be Xiaomi’s greatest strength: beginning not with the product, but with the user, and building from there.
Still, stories need grounding. Xiaomi must provide real, visible value. Design, driving enjoyment, and integration with its broader ecosystem are promising starts. Whether these values can deliver long-term consistency remains the key test.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3351543585895047">article</a> was written by Xu Caiyu for 36Kr.

Xiaomi’s YU7 stirs emotion and demand with over 200,000 orders in minutes

<blockquote>China Recap is a weekly roundup tracking Chinese companies expanding abroad, covering market entries, funding rounds, product launches, and global partnerships.</blockquote>
China’s corporate globalization strategy is evolving fast. Industry giants are rewriting the global playbook, while a new generation of companies charts fresh paths overseas.
China Recap tracks both—focusing on strategic expansion, brand building, and localized operations—to help readers make sense of shifting trends and understand how Chinese firms are reshaping their global approach.
Here’s what made headlines last week:
<h3><a href="/industry/robotics">Robotics</a> players shift into next gear globally</h3>
<ul>
<li>MegaRobo Technologies, a life sciences automation and robotics company, filed for a potential listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, appointing Morgan Stanley, Huatai Financial, Deutsche Bank, and CCB International as overall coordinators. No public offering is currently underway, and the listing remains subject to regulatory approval.</li>
<li>Casbot, a Chinese startup focused on humanoid robots, raised nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) in an angel plus funding round. Backers include Lens Technology, Tianjin Jiayi, and existing investors SDIC Unity Capital and Henan Asset Management. The funds will support mass production and R&amp;D as Casbot expands in industrial and mining applications.</li>
<li>Standard Robots filed for a Hong Kong IPO with joint sponsors CITIC Securities and Guotai Junan International. Founded in 2016 in Wuxi, the company specializes in robotics and <a href="/industry/ai">artificial intelligence</a> software, and is backed by investors including <a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a>, Broad Vision Funds, and China Capital Management. —<a href="https://36kr.com/newsflashes/3350225439088768">36Kr</a></li>
<li><a href="/company/nvidia">Nvidia</a> and Foxconn are in talks to deploy humanoid robots at a new plant in Houston, Texas, where Foxconn will produce Nvidia’s GB300 AI servers, sources said. If finalized, the site would mark the first use of humanoid robots on the production line for either company. —<a href="https://www.cls.cn/detail/2063675">Cailian Press</a></li>
<li>Unitree Robotics, a Chinese maker of quadruped and humanoid robots, has raised new funding from top tech investors including <a href="/company/alibaba">Alibaba</a> (and its affiliate <a href="/company/ant-group">Ant Group</a>), <a href="/company/tencent">Tencent</a>, China Mobile, <a href="/company/geely">Geely</a>, and <a href="/company/bytedance">ByteDance</a>-linked Jinqiu Capital, pushing its valuation past RMB 10 billion. The company is considering a Hong Kong listing. —<a href="https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3315225/unitree-robotics-reaches-unicorn-status-bytedance-alibaba-tencent-funding">SCMP</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Xpeng launches the X9 in Indonesia</h3>
<a href="/company/xpeng">Xpeng Motors</a> has launched its X9 MPV in Indonesia at a starting price of IDR 990 million or around USD 61,000, with local production slated to begin in July. The plant marks Xpeng’s first overseas manufacturing base as it targets Southeast Asia’s largest automotive market. —<a href="https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/2025-06-26/doc-infcktkn1544717.shtml?froms=ggmp">Sina</a>
<h3>Anjoy targets expansion in Southeast Asia</h3>
Anjoy Foods, China’s leading frozen hotpot supplier, plans to raise up to HKD 2.64 billion (USD 336.3 million) in a Hong Kong listing on July 4. The proceeds will fund expansion in Southeast Asia and Europe, where demand for Chinese cuisine is growing. The company reportedly holds a 6.2% share of the mainland market and reported RMB 15.1 billion (USD 2.1 billion) in revenue last year. —<a href="https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3315698/chinese-hotpot-giant-anjoy-foods-eyes-southeast-asia-and-europe-after-hong-kong-listing">SCMP</a>
<h3>Neta Auto risks subsidy clawback in Thailand</h3>
Thailand warned Neta Auto it may need to repay more than THB 2 billion (USD 61.5 million) in subsidies if it fails to meet local <a href="/industry/ev">electric vehicle</a> production targets under a national incentive program. With only 4,000 of the required 19,000 vehicles produced this year, authorities are tightening oversight and proposing stricter reporting requirements. —<a href="https://www.ithome.com/0/863/655.htm">IT Zhijia</a>
<h3>China's Ningji partners with CP Group</h3>
Chinese lemon tea brand Ningji partnered with Thailand’s CP Group to support its Southeast Asia expansion, gaining access to CP’s supply chain and retail network. The deal follows earlier backing from Tencent, ByteDance, and Shunwei Capital. —<a href="https://www.geekpark.net/news/350756">GeekPark</a>
<h3>GAC kicks off EV production in Jakarta</h3>
<a href="/company/gac">GAC Group</a> opened a smart factory in Jakarta, marking a key step in its “One GAC 2.0” globalization strategy. The site reportedly features AI-powered manufacturing and supports the company’s effort to localize EV production in Southeast Asia. The plant anchors GAC’s Indonesia initiative and long-term plan to develop a local supply and service ecosystem.
<h3>Huawei debuts CloudRobo AI platform</h3>
<a href="/company/huawei">Huawei Cloud</a> unveiled its CloudRobo platform at its developer conference on June 20, reportedly offering embodied AI capabilities built on the Pangu model. The system supports multimodal data generation, complex planning, and millimeter-level execution, targeting use cases from automotive assembly to semiconductor logistics. —<a href="https://www.guancha.cn/economy/2025_06_20_780175.shtml">Guancha</a>
<h3>Baidu plans Apollo Go rollout in Southeast Asia</h3>
<a href="/company/baidu">Baidu</a> plans to launch its Apollo Go robotaxi service in Singapore and Malaysia as early as this year, seeking local partners for an asset-light model. The service has logged 11 million rides, reportedly surpassing Waymo, and is also exploring markets including Turkey and Switzerland. —<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-20/china-s-baidu-eyes-robotaxi-expansion-to-singapore-and-malaysia">Bloomberg</a>
That wraps up this edition of China Recap. If your company is expanding internationally, we’d love to hear about your latest milestones. <a href="mailto:changweiqian@global.36kr.com">Get in touch</a> to share your story.

China Recap | Robotics players shift into next gear

… the administration, given Trump's "focus on AI dominance over China."
Musk could also have a unique opportunity in China, where his company helped lay the <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/Electric-vehicles/Tesla-faces-uphill-battle-in-China-as-Trump-Musk-dust-settles">groundwork for the EV industry</a>. Last year, Chinese state media reported that Beijing told Musk it would welcome Tesla to do some robotaxi tests in the country, as it could "set a good example."
If Musk were to succeed in rolling out robotaxis in China, local players would see it as a positive rather than a threat, the above senior executive from the Chinese operator told Nikkei Asia.
"This market is nowhere near cutthroat competition yet. It's still a blue ocean," the senior executive said. "Right now, all the players combined haven't even captured 0.1% of its potential, so there's no need for concern. If Tesla's robotaxi enters China and helps grow the overall market, while also advancing policy and increasing public awareness, it would be a huge benefit for the entire industry."
But not everyone believes expertise in making EVs guarantees success in running a robotaxi service.
Tesla or other carmakers may have their advantages as manufacturers, but they don't necessarily have the operational knowledge to optimize the robotaxi service, said Jun Peng, CEO of Pony.ai.
While vehicle production cost will be a factor in success, the ability to operate a fleet efficiently, including providing maintenance and customer service, will also be key, especially as companies ramp up service in more locations.
"And if we are talking about cost, that's Chinese companies' strengths," said Peng, pointing to the supply chain ecosystem in China that allows Pony.ai to produce robotaxis at a fraction of Waymo's cost.
Chinese robotaxi players have more cost advantages in vehicles and autonomous driving kits, thanks to the country's robust automotive supply chain, including for components like batteries and LiDAR, or light detection and ranging sensors. In contrast, US robotaxi firms have greater access to advanced hardware, such as high-performance chips, and typically enjoy stronger capital support due to backing from major technology and automotive corporations, said Ming Lee, head of Greater China automotives and industrials research at BofA Global Research.
As China and the US each push ahead with their self-driving ambitions, politics will likely play an increasingly important role in the race.
The administration of previous US President Joe Biden issued a ban on Chinese autonomous vehicle software and hardware last year that is set to go into effect in 2026. Meanwhile, Beijing's data export controls have hindered attempts by foreign companies, including Tesla, to enter the China robotaxi market, though draft guidelines were issued earlier this month to regulate the export of automotive data generated within the country. The proposed rules could offer a pathway for Tesla and others that have been trying to transfer such data abroad to make inroads in China.
In the near future, Europe and the Middle East are expected to be the key markets where Chinese and US players compete head-to-head.
"Low cost is the major advantage for Chinese robotaxi companies," BofA's Lee said. "In addition to that, Chinese companies having an edge in advancing their algorithms faster, as the road conditions and drivers' behavior in China are more complicated, allowing these Chinese robotaxi companies to collect more data in complicated driving scenarios. As a result, these Chinese companies are ready to roll out their robotaxis in overseas markets sooner."
In China, meanwhile, a sense of urgency is growing. The senior executive from the Chinese robotaxi company said industry leaders have repeatedly urged their government to recognize the progress made in the US, warning that China risks falling behind if companies remain restricted to small-scale trials in peripheral urban areas.
"The Chinese government will still be keenly attentive to US developments in this sector, as only China and the US currently possess the requisite technological capabilities," he said. "At the policy level, Beijing maintains a supportive stance overall."
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Tech-Asia/Taking-the-wheel-US-and-China-jockey-for-robotaxi-leadership">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>.

Taking the wheel: US and China jockey for robotaxi leadership

Autonomous Vehicles

Eyeglasses were invented to improve vision. But these days, they can do much more than just that. Imagine walking through a bookstore in a foreign country. You glance at the cover of a novel, and a voice quietly reads the title in your native language. Later, at a cafe, you ask for your glasses to pay the bill. The transaction completes automatically, no fumbling for a phone or wallet needed.
This kind of everyday utility would have sounded far-fetched less than a decade ago. But that is exactly what <a href="/company/xiaomi">Xiaomi</a> is aiming for with its newly launched smart glasses.
Named simply the Xiaomi AI Glasses, the device integrates the company’s hardware and software into a lightweight frame designed for daily use. Weighing just 40 grams, the glasses retain the silhouette of classic D-frame eyewear. A Sony 12-megapixel ultrawide camera enables 2K video recording with electronic image stabilization. It can capture a photo in just 0.8 seconds and integrates with a wide range of popular Chinese apps, including <a href="/company/douyin">Douyin</a> and DingTalk.
The standout feature, however, is the built-in voice assistant. Users can give voice commands to perform tasks such as taking photos and videos, live streaming, translating text seen through the glasses, answering basic questions, or setting reminders. Xiaomi says the assistant can also control smart home devices and will soon support QR-based payments. Audio responses come through dual open-ear speakers, while a five-microphone array with bone conduction ensures clear input during calls and commands.
A Snapdragon AR1 chip powers the device, backed by a battery that supports up to 8.6 hours of video playback or seven hours of continuous operation.
The glasses also feature electrochromic lenses that shift tint levels in about 0.2 seconds via dual-finger swipes on the touch-sensitive temples. Users can switch among four tint levels. While this adds a stylish and somewhat functional flair, it is ostensibly more a modernized take on transition lenses than a technical leap.
The Xiaomi AI Glasses will be available in three colors: black, brown, and green. The brown and green variants will feature semi-transparent casings that partially reveal the device's internal components.
<figure id="attachment_155098" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-155098" style="width: 1920px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-155098 size-full" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Xiaomi-AI-Glasses-Launch.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Xiaomi-AI-Glasses-Launch.jpg 1920w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Xiaomi-AI-Glasses-Launch-720x405.jpg 720w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Xiaomi-AI-Glasses-Launch-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Xiaomi-AI-Glasses-Launch-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Xiaomi-AI-Glasses-Launch-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Xiaomi-AI-Glasses-Launch-480x270.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-155098" class="wp-caption-text">CEO Lei Jun officially unveiled the Xiaomi AI Glasses at the company’s “Human x Car x Home” event on June 26. Image and header image source: Xiaomi.</figcaption></figure>
After a delay from the <a href="https://kr-asia.com/xiaomi-to-launch-new-ai-glasses-after-ray-ban-meta-stirs-china-demand">originally planned April debut</a>, the glasses were officially launched on June 26. The standard edition is priced at RMB 1,999 (USD 279.9). Two electrochromic variants, one with single-tint lenses and one with multiple tint levels, are priced at RMB 2,699 (USD 377.9) and RMB 2,999 (USD 419.9), respectively.
The release arrives at a time when the smart glasses market is rapidly gaining momentum. According to <a href="https://www.counterpointresearch.com/insight/post-insight-research-notes-blogs-rayban-meta-smart-glasses-drive-global-smart-glasses-market-surge-in-2024-fuelling-momentum-in-2025-with-projected-60-cagr-through-2029/">Counterpoint Research</a>, global smart glasses shipments surged 210% last year, with the market expected to expand 60% year-on-year in 2025.
Xiaomi’s entry also comes as major competitors already occupy the space. <a href="/company/huawei">Huawei</a> introduced an <a href="https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3306941/huawei-unveils-upgraded-ai-powered-smart-eyewear-compete-crowded-market">upgraded model</a> in April with a titanium frame, gesture control, voice commands, and translation features. Meanwhile, <a href="/company/baidu">Baidu</a> plans to release Xiaodu-branded smart glasses later this year, using its Ernie models and DuerOS system.
Beyond the major players, smaller companies are exploring distinct niches. <a href="https://kr-asia.com/can-superhexas-ai-glasses-triple-up-as-headphones-translator-and-virtual-assistant">Superhexa’s Jiehuan glasses</a> emphasize real-time translation and can summarize concurrent activities, such as incoming WeChat messages. <a href="https://kr-asia.com/ai-glasses-for-all-sharge-shakes-up-the-market-with-rmb-999-launch">Sharge’s A1</a> prioritizes memory capture through video recording and artificial intelligence-assisted recall, positioning itself more as a lifestyle recorder than a digital assistant. <a href="https://kr-asia.com/the-garmin-of-ai-glasses-arknovvs-smart-specs-are-built-for-athletes-not-the-masses">ARknovv’s BleeqUp Ranger</a>, on the other hand, caters to athletes with features like crash-aware video logging.
These different approaches show that the category remains unsettled. Some brands are leaning into immersive, AI-based utilities, while others target niche uses like translation or fitness. Xiaomi seems to be positioning itself in the middle, betting on a multipurpose, voice-driven device that integrates practical functions with its existing software ecosystem.
And although it’s new to the category, Xiaomi has a precedent for catching up fast. Its electric vehicle, the SU7, launched last year in China’s crowded EV market after competitors like BYD had already secured strong footholds. Yet the SU7’s early sales exceeded expectations, showing Xiaomi’s ability to convert brand equity and scale into market share.
With the smart glasses market still taking shape, Xiaomi appears to be betting that its integrated approach and distribution reach can deliver similar results.

Xiaomi steps into smart eyewear with voice-enabled glasses built for everyday use

Artificial Intelligence