by CHEN Xiaotong

Li Auto plans to launch its first AI smart glasses, CEO LI Xiang said on Monday, pushing the EV maker into China's fast-growing wearable-AI market. He also said the company is considering an AI smart speaker.

Li said the move aims to extend Li Auto's AI services beyond its more than 1 million drivers to a wider base of 3–5 million users across vehicles and personal devices. He repeated that the company does not plan to build smartphones, noting that its in-car assistant already has a mobile app.

His comments came after speculation in August that Li Auto would unveil AI glasses in September — a rumor the company denied. Li has previously said he wants the firm to become a leading AI company as cars shift "from traditional vehicles to space robots."

Patent filings show Li Auto has been developing related technology for several years. The company holds a 2021 patent (CN115442581B) for an in-car VR-glasses control method that adjusts displays based on head movement and coordinates with other vehicle systems.

Competition in AI glasses is intensifying. Research firm RUNTO forecasts global shipments of 5.1 million units in 2025, including 1.37 million in China, with both markets expected to grow more than 200%.

Tech companies are leading the charge. Xiaomi's AI glasses, launched at 1,999 yuan (about US$282), sold 31,000 units in their first week. Alibaba began presales of its Quark AI Glasses in October at 3,699–3,999 yuan, with a full launch on Nov 27.

Li Auto's push into wearables underscores how Chinese EV makers are trying to widen their software ecosystems beyond the car as competition for user time and loyalty grows.