China's Xreal is set to power Google's Android AI glasses as the demand for smart eyewear continues to grow. This partnership between the Chinese augmented reality startup and Google is a testament to China's capabilities in research and development. The project, known as Project Aura, is an exciting development in the field of extended reality (XR) devices. It will launch artificial intelligence glasses powered by the Android XR operating system and Gemini AI next year. The device, resembling a pair of thick sunglasses, was first announced at Google's annual I/O developer conference in May. It runs on Android XR, a unified platform for XR devices built through a partnership between Google, Qualcomm, and Samsung, and comes integrated with Gemini AI. The glasses feature a dual chip design, with an Xreal X1S chip embedded inside the glasses and a Qualcomm Snapdragon Chip housed in a separate tethered puck that also holds the battery. This design allows for a field of view of 70 degrees, enabling users to clearly view their real-world surroundings while also projecting applications directly into their sightline. Interaction is facilitated via hand gestures, and users can access Google Play apps. The Xreal team, previously known as Nreal, was founded in 2017 by Zhejiang University alumni Xu Chi, Wu Kejian, and Xiao Bing. Their Xreal One was named one of Time magazine's best inventions of 2025, solidifying their position as a major player in the smart eyewear market.
