AI端侧最佳载体？一文看懂AI眼镜产业链

Core Insights - The AI glasses market is gaining attention due to its lightweight design and intuitive interaction, driven by a large existing user base and low AI penetration rates, indicating significant growth potential for the industry [1][5] - Major tech companies are entering the market, with Alibaba launching its first AI glasses powered by its self-developed model, and Meta's collaboration with Ray-Ban resulting in sold-out smart glasses [1][2] - IDC predicts that global smart glasses shipments will reach 12.8 million units by 2025, with a 26% year-on-year growth, and the Chinese market expected to grow by 107% [1] Market Potential - The growth of the AI glasses market is primarily driven by the replacement of a large existing market, particularly in China, where nearly 50% of the population is myopic, representing a potential user base of around 700 million [5] - The annual sales of prescription glasses in China are approximately 150 million units, with sunglasses also maintaining stable sales, indicating a robust market for AI glasses [5] - The report anticipates that as AI and AR technologies mature post-2030, AI+AR smart glasses will enter a high-growth phase, with global sales potentially reaching 1.4 billion units and a penetration rate of 70% [2][5] Cost Structure - The cost structure of AI glasses is dominated by chips and optics, which are the highest value segments in the supply chain [7] - Different AI glasses have varying cost focuses; for instance, Huawei's AR glasses have 78% of their costs in optical modules and screens, while Xiaomi's AI glasses have over 25% of costs in the main chip [7] - The report identifies that in the future, the main costs will be in computing chips, optical modules, and display screens, making them focal points for investment in the supply chain [7] Technology Pathways - The choice of technology in optical display significantly impacts product form and user experience, with current mainstream AR glasses using the Birdbath solution, which has limitations such as low transparency and bulkiness [9] - The waveguide solution is seen as a promising direction due to its high transparency and lightweight design, although its complex manufacturing process poses challenges for mass production [9] - Micro OLED is currently the mainstream display technology, but Micro LED is viewed as a more ideal solution for AR due to its high brightness and longevity, despite facing manufacturing challenges [12] Computing Power - The choice of computing unit directly affects the performance and battery life of AI glasses, with the "SoC+MCU" combination being identified as the optimal solution for balancing performance and power consumption [15][18] - The global SoC market is projected to grow from $161.9 billion in 2025 to $237.8 billion by 2030, driven by the expansion of the AI glasses market [15] Supply Chain Components - Besides chips and optics, other components like storage and batteries are crucial in the AI glasses industry [20] - ePOP and eMCP are the main storage solutions, with ePOP being favored for its compact size and low power consumption [20] - High-density steel shell batteries are key to overcoming the weight, endurance, and computing power challenges in AI glasses [20]