Rokid AI Glasses Maker Prepares Hong Kong IPO Amid Tech Giant Competition
Rokid, a company based in Hangzhou that specializes in AI-driven smart glasses, is set to pursue a listing in Hong Kong, likely by the end of April. The firm manufactures augmented reality glasses for both industrial and consumer use, equipped with dual-eye monochrome displays, built-in cameras, audio systems, and features such as real-time translation, conversational AI, navigation, and eye-scanning payment. This initiative comes as numerous tech giants, including Apple, Meta Platforms, Alibaba Group Holding (via its Quark brand), Baidu, Xiaomi, and Huawei Technologies, along with startups Xreal and Rayneo, venture into the AI eyewear sector. Rokid was established in 2014 by CEO Misa Zhu Mingming, an alumnus of Zhejiang University and the University of California, Berkeley, who previously worked at Alibaba following its acquisition of his earlier startup. The company did not reply to inquiries on Tuesday. Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have played a significant role in popularizing AI eyewear.
Key facts
- Rokid is preparing to file for a Hong Kong IPO as early as the end of April
- The company is based in Hangzhou
- Rokid makes industrial and consumer-grade AR glasses and AI-powered eyewear
- Its AI glasses feature dual-eye monochrome displays, integrated cameras and audio
- Capabilities include real-time translation, teleprompter function, conversational AI, navigation, and eye-scanning payment
- Rokid was co-founded in 2014 by CEO Misa Zhu Mingming
- Misa Zhu Mingming is a Zhejiang University and University of California, Berkeley graduate
- He joined Alibaba through an acquisition in 2010 and led an innovation laboratory there
- Major tech companies including Apple, Meta, Alibaba, Baidu, Xiaomi, and Huawei are entering the AI eyewear market
- Startups Xreal and Rayneo are also anticipating market growth
- Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have popularized the AI eyewear format
- Rokid did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday
- Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post
Entities
Artists
- Misa Zhu Mingming
Institutions
- Rokid
- Apple
- Meta Platforms
- Alibaba Group Holding
- Baidu
- Xiaomi
- Huawei Technologies
- Xreal
- Rayneo
- Zhejiang University
- University of California, Berkeley
- South China Morning Post
Locations
- Hong Kong
- Hangzhou
- China