XGIMI Enters Smart Glasses Market with MemoMind AR Lineup

Projector manufacturer XGIMI has officially entered the smart glasses market with the launch of a new brand called MemoMind. Unveiled at CES, the company introduced two distinct models: the flagship Memo One and the lightweight Memo Air.

The Memo One features dual-eye displays and integrated speakers, while the Memo Air is a stripped-down model weighing 28.9 grams with a single eye display. XGIMI emphasizes that the glasses are designed to be unobtrusively light, leveraging the company's optics and engineering expertise. The devices are available in eight frame styles and five temple designs, with support for prescription lenses.

MemoMind serves as a vehicle for an AI assistant capable of translation, summarization, note-taking, and reminders. Unlike some competitors, the platform dynamically switches between OpenAI, Azure, and Alibaba's Qwen to optimize results. However, the use of microLED displays rather than waveguides may present challenges for users requiring prescription lenses. The flagship Memo One is set to be available for pre-order soon at a price of $599.

XGIMI, traditionally known for its projector technology, has leveraged its optics and engineering know-how to create the MemoMind lineup. The company claims the glasses are engineered to be unobtrusively light, allowing them to blend seamlessly into daily life. The design philosophy prioritizes comfort and wearability for extended use.

The lineup consists of two primary models catering to different user needs:

• Memo One: The flagship option featuring dual-eye displays and integrated speakers for a complete audio-visual experience.
• Memo Air: A more minimalistic model weighing just 28.9 grams that utilizes a single eye display.

For users concerned with aesthetics, the glasses offer significant customization. They ship in eight different frame styles and five different temple designs. Furthermore, the hardware supports prescription lenses, making them a viable option for those who require vision correction.

The MemoMind glasses function primarily as a vehicle for the company's integrated AI assistant. The software is designed to provide real-time utility through several core functions, including translation, summarization, note-taking, reminders, and contextual guidance.

A distinguishing feature of the XGIMI platform is its multi-model approach. Unlike some rivals that rely on a single provider, MemoMind's software automatically switches between different AI models to achieve the best results. The system utilizes:

• OpenAI
• Microsoft Azure
• Alibaba's Qwen

The platform assesses the specific task and selects the model it believes will offer the user the most effective outcome. This flexibility aims to enhance the reliability and accuracy of the AI assistant's responses.

Despite the advanced software features, the hardware specifications present a potential hurdle for adoption. XGIMI has opted to use microLED displays rather than waveguides in the construction of the MemoMind glasses.

This technical choice makes the devices a potentially difficult sell for a specific demographic: glasses wearers. Because the display is placed behind prescription lenses, users who are nearsighted may experience difficulty focusing on text. The small size of the display combined with the optical physics of prescription lenses can result in a painful viewing experience. This issue suggests that while the hardware is lightweight, the visual technology may not yet be optimized for users who need corrective lenses.

XGIMI has announced that the flagship Memo One will be available to pre-order "soon." The company has set the price point at $599 for this model.

While the Memo One is the first to be announced, the company has confirmed that additional models will be available "further down the line." This suggests a phased rollout strategy for the MemoMind ecosystem, potentially expanding the lineup with different features or price tiers in the future.