Expo highlights AI-powered optical sector

The emergence of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) has created opportunities for the eyewear industry to adopt innovative features that foster growth and customer engagement.

This trend was prominently displayed at the 2024 Shenzhen International Optics Fair, which concluded at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District yesterday.

Participants give speeches at the 2024 Shenzhen International Optics Fair. Photos from sznews.com

Prominent suppliers from Shenzhen’s eyewear industry showcased their latest technological advancements at the fair, emphasizing smart solutions. The main exhibition was complemented by eight ancillary events, including an international forum, product launches, investment promotions, and factory tours in Longgang District. Over 200 companies from eight countries and regions, as well as 20 provinces and cities across China, participated in the fair.

A dedicated section for smart wearable devices was launched this year, highlighting Shenzhen’s strength in design innovation, R&D, big data, and wearable technology.

A scene of the the 2024 Shenzhen International Optics Fair.

Zhu Shunhua, president of the Shenzhen Smart Wearable Industry Association, remarked that the expo is a catalyst for the convergence of AI and eyewear, driving the industry towards intelligent innovation. With new technologies enabling immersive virtual experiences, interactive functionalities, and revolutionary eyewear designs, a number of local companies have unveiled groundbreaking innovations that are set to reshape the industry’s future.

In mid-December, LOHO Eyewear and Sharge Technology, both headquartered in Shenzhen, unveiled their first co-branded AI glasses — the AI Snap Glasses A1, which is also China’s first mass-produced AI glasses.

AI glasses are a new type of wearable device, primarily used for voice interaction and photography.

Weighing 50 grams, the A1 glasses boast a top-tier 16-megapixel camera from Sony, high-fidelity sound, and a Unisoc W517 chipset. The device is compatible with over 10 leading domestic large language model providers, offering an affordable accessory starting at 999 yuan (US$137).

With over four decades of history, Shenzhen’s eyewear industry, with a comprehensive industrial chain and rich resources, serves as a vital pillar of the city’s modern fashion sector. As one of the world’s largest eyewear manufacturing hubs, Shenzhen produces 125 million pairs of glasses annually, generating an output value exceeding 15 billion yuan each year, which represents 50% of the global mid-to-high-end eyewear market, according to the Shenzhen Optical Association.