Li Auto just dropped its latest tech gadget, the Livis AI Smart Glasses, priced from 1999 yuan (that’s about $280 USD, if you’re counting). The name, Livis, is a clever mashup of Li Auto and “Jarvis,” Iron Man’s famous AI buddy, setting expectations pretty high.
These glasses are quite the featherweight at only 36 grams, supposedly 20% lighter than most AI glasses you will find. They come in a classic Wellington frame style, sporting three colors: sleek black, modern tech grey, and a cool olive green. You can even pick between glossy and matte finishes to match your vibe.
Visionary Lenses by Zeiss and Smart Features
Every pair of Livis glasses comes standard with custom-developed Zeiss lenses. They even offer convenient online prescription services. What’s especially neat is their ability to give you a crystal-clear view of head-up displays (HUD) and use Face ID for unlocking. Plus, if you spend a lot of time outdoors, the photochromic lenses adjust to the light, making them perfect for anything from bright sunshine to dim environments. You can get them as prescription glasses, photochromic specs, or even just sunglasses.
Powering Through Your Day and On-the-Go Charging
Battery life is a solid 18.8 hours of typical use. Charging is super convenient too, thanks to a standard wireless charging case that gives off serious AirPods vibes. But here is the kicker: if you own a Li Auto vehicle, you can wirelessly fast-charge your Livis glasses by just popping them into a dedicated slot when you get in your car. Pretty slick if you ask me.
Under the Hood: Tech That Delivers
Powering these smart glasses is the Hengxuan BES2800 main control chip, paired with an independent ISP imaging chip. For all you shutterbugs out there, they have a SONY IMX681 camera that can snap 12-megapixel photos and record crisp 4K video, all with electronic image stabilization. That is serious tech for something you wear on your face.
Seamless Integration with Li Auto Vehicles
Perhaps the biggest selling point of the Livis glasses is how smoothly they integrate with Li Auto vehicles. Using Bluetooth and 5G networks, they hook directly into your car’s infotainment system. This means voice-activated remote control from up to 100 meters away. Imagine telling your car to open the electric sliding doors, pre-heat the seats, or check the range and charging status, all with a simple voice command before you even get close. For more on how other Chinese brands are pushing the tech envelope, check out how Deepal is bringing Ferrari-level tech to its cars.
A Confounding Innovation?
Now, here is where it gets a little perplexing. While these glasses are undeniably cool, their practical utility for vehicle interaction feels somewhat limited. Drivers already have direct voice access to their car systems. So, adding another layer of voice command through glasses seems a bit redundant.
Then there is the remote control aspect within a 100-meter radius. It is a neat party trick, but most smartphones can already do this, often with a much wider range and through a more familiar interface. It makes one wonder if these glasses are a truly transformative tool or just a high-tech accessory looking for a problem to solve.
This move comes as Li Auto makes significant strides in the pure EV market, always pushing the boundaries. They are known for daring innovations, just like how Li Auto plans to go global with new retail centers. But for now, these smart glasses leave me scratching my head a bit. The Chinese EV market is seeing a lot of interesting tech, with brands like NIO launching new sub-brands like Onvo and BYD continuing its aggressive growth. Only time will tell if Livis finds its true place in this rapidly evolving landscape.
