Welcome to Beyond the Valley
In the latest episode of Beyond the Valley, a CNBC tech podcast hosted by Arjun Karpil and Tom Chitty, we dive into the innovative world of augmented reality (AR) with Chi Xu, the CEO of Xreal. As AR glasses begin to emerge as potential successors to smartphones, this episode explores the groundbreaking technology behind Xreal's new product: the Xreal 1 series.
Understanding Augmented Reality
"Augmented reality merges the digital with the physical world, creating a tapestry of enhanced experiences." — Technological Innovators Society
Chi Xu explains that Xreal, initially dubbed Unreal, has been on a mission to seamlessly blend the real world with virtual information. Their vision foresees a "spatial Internet"—a world where AR glasses replace traditional smartphones, offering an immersive experience of reality augmented with digital data.
The Xreal 1 Series: A Cinematic Revolution
The newly launched Xreal 1 series represents a significant leap for consumer AR technology, characterized by its complete spatial screen control. These glasses, equipped with a custom silicon chip dubbed X1, aim to provide a universal spatial anchor for all connected devices, enhancing both audio and visual experiences.
Key Features of Xreal 1 Series:
- Universal Spatial Anchor: Enhanced interaction with connected devices.
- 200-inch Screen Projection: Ideal for gaming, movies, and productivity.
- Lightweight and Portable: Designed for occasional use rather than all-day wear.
- Price Point: Priced competitively at around $499.
The Vision Behind Xreal
Chi Xu describes Xreal's dual product vision, emphasizing the long-term goal of creating everyday AR glasses that are as unintrusive as prescription eyewear. In the interim, the company is developing spatial displays, offering immersive, large-screen experiences on-the-go.
Navigating the AR Market Landscape
The AR market is evolving rapidly with companies like Apple and Meta creating high-end headsets. Xreal aims to offer a more affordable and compact alternative, delivering up to 80% of a high-end headset's experience at a fraction of the cost.
Current Challenges and Ecosystem
"The hardware is ready; the challenge lies in cultivating an ecosystem that supports this transformative technology." — Chi Xu
Chi Xu identifies a gap in the AR ecosystem, particularly in native applications and comprehensive platforms. Despite having the hardware to compete with giants like Apple's Vision Pro, the AR field lacks unified platforms akin to Android or iOS.
Engineering and Innovation
The X1 coprocessor is central to the Xreal 1 series' capabilities, addressing issues such as latency and throughput, and enabling high-resolution display and audio improvements. Xreal opts for Optical See-Through (OST) technology, avoiding the complexity and cost of Video See-Through (VST) systems used by competitors.
Focus on Engineering Optimizations:
- Trade-offs in design: Balancing feature set with practicality and cost.
- Dedication to in-house development: Establishing proprietary technology through custom chip design and manufacturing.
Looking Ahead
Xreal is poised for growth, targeting significant market expansion, particularly in the United States and Japan. With backing from investors like Alibaba, the firm is positioned to tackle both the hardware and the eventual software ecosystem challenges.
The Role of Partnerships in AR Evolution
Chi Xu underscores the necessity of strategic partnerships to build a robust AR ecosystem. He sees potential collaborations with tech giants like Google and Samsung as pivotal.
Reflections and Future Prospects
"Our mission is to create transformative technology that seamlessly integrates into everyday life." — Chi Xu
Reflecting on his past experiences at Nvidia, Chi Xu acknowledges the unpredictable nature of technology evolution, from CPU dominance to GPU relevance in AI and blockchain developments.
Conclusion
The future looks promising for Xreal, with objectives set on enhancing their AR glasses' computing capabilities to eventually eliminate the need for wires. As AR technology continues to advance, the balance of on-device AI capabilities and wearable practicality marks the next frontier for innovation.
Stay tuned to Beyond the Valley for more insightful discussions on the technologies that shape our world.
Join us next week for our year-end tech predictions for 2025, and as always, feel free to reach out with your thoughts or questions.
XREAL, FUTURE COMPUTING, YOUTUBE, AUGMENTED REALITY, TECH INNOVATION, AR GLASSES, TECHNOLOGY PODCAST