Core Insights - The article highlights the recent financing round of ZhiGe Technology, a manufacturer of optical components for AR glasses, which has completed its second round of financing in 2025, raising over 100 million yuan [1] - The funding will be used for capacity enhancement, team expansion, and product R&D iteration [1] - ZhiGe Technology, established in 2019, specializes in AR diffraction waveguides and micro-nano optics, and has a strong team with notable academic and industry backgrounds [1] Company Overview - ZhiGe Technology is recognized as a high-tech enterprise and has developed the first fully automated production line for diffraction waveguides in China, achieving a monthly production capacity of 100,000 units [2] - The company has mastered three core technologies: grating design, grating master processing, and nano-imprinting production, operating under an IDM model that allows for comprehensive design and manufacturing capabilities [2] - The CEO emphasizes the importance of customized optical products for different clients, which enhances flexibility and accelerates technology iteration [2] Product Development - ZhiGe Technology has developed patented technology to address the "rainbow pattern" issue that affects user experience in AR glasses, ensuring that users do not perceive this effect in 95% of scenarios [3] - The company's waveguide lenses achieve a light transmittance of over 98%, comparable to high-end eyewear, and are designed to be extremely lightweight, weighing less than 4 grams [3] - The company has also improved the optical performance of its products, achieving a luminous efficacy of 1000 nits/lm, which is considered industry-leading [4] Market Trends - The global smart glasses market is projected to reach 12.8 million units by 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 26%, while the Chinese market is expected to exceed 2.75 million units, growing by 107% [1] - Major tech companies, including Meta, Samsung, Apple, and others, are actively involved in the development of AI glasses, indicating a competitive and rapidly evolving market landscape [1]

Core Viewpoint - The acquisition of 100% equity in Mia Precision Technology and Changhong Industrial by GoerTek aims to enhance its competitiveness in the precision structural components sector and improve vertical integration within the smart hardware supply chain [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - GoerTek announced the acquisition of Mia Precision Technology and Changhong Industrial for approximately HKD 10.4 billion (around RMB 9.5 billion) [1]. - The target companies are recognized for their leading position in the precision metal structural components industry, with significant technical expertise in metal/non-metal material processing and fine surface treatment [1][2]. - The combined unaudited revenue for the two target companies for the fiscal year 2024 is estimated at approximately HKD 9.11 billion, indicating a solid business scale and market foundation [2]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The acquisition is expected to enhance GoerTek's vertical integration capabilities, increase the scale and profitability of its precision structural components business, and deepen collaboration with leading industry clients [2][3]. - GoerTek's precision components business is the fastest-growing segment, with projected revenue of RMB 15.051 billion for 2024, accounting for 14.90% of total revenue and showing a year-on-year growth of 15.85% [3]. - The acquisition is part of GoerTek's broader strategy to position itself in next-generation terminal products, including acoustic components and optical modules, while maintaining strong ties with major brands like Meta, Sony, and Pico [2].

Group 1 - Rokid, founded by Misa, has been a significant player in the hardware startup scene for 11 years, recently achieving a valuation of $1 billion despite unclear profitability [1][2] - The company has gained attention as part of the "Hangzhou Seven Dragons," alongside other notable tech startups, following a successful presentation where Misa showcased AR+AI glasses [2][3] - The optical supplier for Rokid Glasses, Guangzhou Semiconductor, has developed a unique single-light diffraction waveguide solution that reduces power consumption and costs while maintaining good display quality [3][4] Group 2 - The AI glasses market is currently experiencing rapid growth, with increasing interest from various clients, including both established companies and startups [3][22] - The supply chain for AI glasses is still immature, with significant discrepancies among different suppliers, leading to potential product failures if any component is flawed [3][10] - Guangzhou Semiconductor's technology is considered to be at the forefront, with the potential for Chinese companies to lead the global market in AI and AR optical technologies [4][10] Group 3 - The distinction between AI glasses and previous AR glasses lies in the integration of large models for voice interaction, with AI glasses expected to evolve to include display functionalities [5][6] - Current AI glasses are facing challenges in profitability, with two primary business models emerging: one focusing on hardware sales and the other on content monetization [7][8] - The competitive landscape for AI glasses is intensifying, with many new entrants, but this is seen as beneficial for industry growth [9][20] Group 4 - Guangzhou Semiconductor has developed a unique optical module that allows for a thinner and more efficient design, which is crucial for consumer acceptance [14][17] - The company emphasizes the importance of reducing costs and weight in their products, which is essential for consumer electronics [20][22] - The demand for improved optical performance, safety, and affordability is driving innovation in the AR glasses sector [22][23]

Group 1: Production Base Adjustments - The company has initiated adjustments to its four major production bases to better align with customer needs, with an expected completion time of one to two years [2] - The Taizhou main plant will serve as the core practice base for North American clients, while the Jiangxi base will focus on domestic circulation [2] Group 2: Laser Radar Window Products - Laser radar is crucial for safe driving, especially in adverse weather conditions, and the trend of integrating laser radar into vehicles is increasing [2] - The company supplies glass-based laser radar windows and maintains a leading market share in this segment, collaborating with major domestic and international laser radar manufacturers [2] Group 3: Waveguide Technology - The company is focusing on reflective waveguide technology, which offers advantages in full color, high resolution, and wide field of view, but faces global mass production challenges [3][4] - Currently, there are no large-scale consumer market applications for full-color reflective waveguide AR glasses in China [3] Group 4: Competitive Analysis of Waveguide Technologies - Reflective waveguides excel in resolution, clarity, and color uniformity, but their mass production remains a global challenge [4] - Diffractive waveguides have advantages in cost-effectiveness and mass production for small field-of-view applications, but struggle with full-color display quality [4] Group 5: Optical Machine Layout for AR Glasses - The company has been involved in optical module development for AR glasses for over a decade and continues to follow advancements in optical machine solutions [6] - The focus is on developing optical components necessary for optical machines, aligning with the company's strategic resource allocation [6] Group 6: Client Collaboration and Market Dynamics - The company is currently in a technical research collaboration phase with major North American clients, focusing on optical innovations for smart devices [7] - Despite potential tariff impacts, the company has not yet faced price adjustment demands from clients, maintaining resilience through ongoing optical hardware upgrades [7]

Growth Drivers - The company has established three growth curves: consumer electronics as the first, automotive optics as the second, and AR/VR as the third, creating a diversified and sustainable development pattern [2][3] - The smartphone segment remains a stable growth curve, with significant potential for optical innovation and new product launches [3][4] - The automotive electronics segment has accumulated a stable customer base, with increasing shipments of products like HUD and Lidar window pieces [4] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, the company achieved a revenue of CNY 1.482 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.20% [3] - The net profit attributable to shareholders was CNY 221 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 23.67% [3] - The gross profit margin reached 27.95%, an increase of 3.95% compared to the same period last year, indicating high-quality growth [3] Internationalization Strategy - The company has initiated internationalization strategies for several years, establishing market windows around core customers in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, the USA, and Germany [3][4] - A second office has been set up in Seattle to better serve overseas clients, and a manufacturing base in Vietnam is expected to enter mass production this year [3][4] - Future plans include expanding into emerging markets in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, enhancing international influence [4][6] Industry Outlook - The optical industry is expected to experience significant growth due to increasing demand for optical hardware in smart terminals such as smartphones, smart homes, automotive optics, and AR glasses [5][6] - The company is well-positioned with a solid strategic layout, technical accumulation, and stable customer relationships, fostering confidence in future growth [3][4]