Rokid is a Leader in Mixed Reality and AI: Here's Why

Rokid is a mixed reality artificial intelligence company founded in Hangzhou, China. Established in 2014, Rokid specializes in researching and developing AI and Mixed Reality devices. We had the pleasure of interviewing the Rokid team about their mixed reality devices and how they see their products fitting in the wider Metaverse space. As with all our featured guests, we would like to thank the Rokid team for taking the time to chat with us.

What is Rokid?

“Established in 2014, Rokid specializes in the research and product development of Mixed Reality and Artificial Intelligence. With its mission of “leave nobody behind,” Rokid provides the extreme user experience, superior products, and robust enterprise solutions for developing communities. “Our passion motivates us to make a positive and powerful impact on a broad range of industries.”

Why was Rokid established? What were your inspirations for creating the company?

“Since the first day Rokid was established, we have defined a position for ourselves. If we talk about the Metaverse today, what everyone is discussing is more about imagination. For Rokid, we are more concerned about integrating the real world and the virtual world. Our positioning is to be a new generation of human-computer interaction companies, but as a new human-computer interaction company, we will focus on the direction of AI and AR.”

You have three different types of AR headsets. Can you give detail on each of them, what are the differences between them?

Rokid X-Craft is the world’s leading explosion-proof AR headset equipped with a 5G module. It is compatible with any helmets, specially designed for complex and high-risk environments such as oil & gas, electric power, aviation, rail transport, and many other industries. It is equipped with an AI algorithm and AR technology which enables frontline workers to update information automatically and increase work efficiencies.

World’s first 5G AR device: Equipped with a 5G module, the AR headset facilitates the rapid deployment of the Industrial IoT.
Waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof: Rated as IP66 waterproof and dustproof, ATEX/IECEx certified for intrinsic safety zone 1. Specifically designed for complex and high-risk environments
Hands-free, Fully voice-operated: Provided four control modes, including gesture control, head control, physical control, and voice control. Equipped with three noise reduction microphones and with to achieve 90db noise reduction, voices can be accurately detected under noisy industrial environments.

Rokid Glass 2 is a Foldable, monocular Augmented Reality (AR) glasses; Rokid Glass 2 offers a lightweight design, high-resolution display, and superior performance on a variety of tasks. A hands-free voice control interface and robust extensions for use with existing mobile devices make it extremely versatile. Rokid Glass 2 continues to be adopted within the manufacturing, logistics, exhibition, healthcare, and education markets.

The slim frame and foldable feature: Lightweight design, 8-hour battery life, and stress-relief features for long-term comfort and wear. Easily fold to store and carry in office or out in the field.
Outstanding Display: 40 Field of view, waveguide optics technology enables better see-through display and improved contrast ratio
Multimode network: Supports 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth, and other network environments, including private networks and intranets.

Rokid air pro is the best Portable AR Glasses with a camera for training and expiation propose. It’s small enough to fit into a pocket, the AR glasses are foldable, look like regular sunglasses, and have a visor for outdoor use.

Private spatial sound: Sound flows around the user, with clear stereo sound targeted over their ears for an audio experience only they can hear.
High-res, Breathtaking Display: Features a 43° field of view, 100000:1 contrast ratio, and a vivid ultra-high-definition screen that immerses the user in a digital world.
Enhanced Interaction: Voice and visual recognition, making interacting with the AR glasses easy and fun.

Like the Rokid XR Craft, some of your AR glasses are explosion-proof. Your development kits must have gone through rigorous testing. Was this the case?

“Rokid’s headquarter in China has an R&D team of 200 people, and every product has undergone rigorous testing. Furthermore, Rokid XR Craft is rated as IP66 waterproof and dustproof, ATEX/IECEx is certified for intrinsic safety zone 1 and is specifically designed for complex and high-risk environments.”

Do you have any examples of how your AR headsets are being used out on the field any success stories?

“Ecuador national grid company, France railway station construction, Chile’s construction association, are using Rokid x craft to solve 3 critical challenges: For Ecuador national grid construction, Rokid x craft significantly reduces patrol inspection hours and data tracking by 42%, which saves the company 4.7million digital workflow within half a year. For France railway station construction, Rokid x craft efficiently increased productivity and saved 3 million on travel expenses per year. For Chile construction associate, they use it for safety training, which reduces the accident down to 0 since all training are done in AR space.”

“Rokid Air Pro exhibition solutions aim to use AI and AR technology to create multimedia content including images, 3D models, holographs, etc., to expand creative possibilities for a unique experience beyond imagination. For exhibition partners, we provide a developer SDK and AR Cloud Platform to help create and manage innovative content more effectively and efficiently. It has cooperated with 60 museums in China and is expected to reach 200 by the end of the year.”

What makes Rokid’s technology stand out from other competitors on the market like Google Glass?

“One of Rokid’s strengths is to attract the market with products and maintain customers with technology. Rokid’s commitment to creating comprehensive AI and AR multi-solutions aims to accelerate the implementation of smart commercial and industrial applications for private enterprises and government entities. As a result, Rokid focuses on users in specific business application scenarios from the perspective of user experience and lets user needs drive product design.”

Do you think AR is the future of eyewear? If so, why?

“According to TrendForce reports, the global virtual reality application market is projected to reach US$2.16 billion in 2021, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 40% to exceed US$8.31 billion by 20251. From the perspective of market acceptance, AR smart glasses, including medical and retail, have developed new market working models, while various industry players continue to invest R&D resources in general and product performance improvement for the enterprise market to improve product practicability. Thus, we believe AR is the future of eyewear.”

What does the Metaverse mean for Rokid and your AR technology?

“Augmented and virtual reality is a key connection to the Metaverse era. When we talk about AR or the Metaverse, hardware is just one of them; more important is the ability in terms of backend computing power. For example, in PetroChina’s AR intelligent assistance system, X-Craft emphasizes safety. It is equipped with BDS and GPS and is also dustproof, explosion-proof, and pollution-proof. It is a product especially aimed at complex and high-risk environments. This system is different from the AR operation and maintenance system of state.”

“Grid in product form, but the basic platform is interoperable. This is Rokid’s customization and segmentation of products according to the scene.”

Do you think AR will play a critical role in the Metaverse? What part will Rokid play?

“Augmented reality seamlessly integrates the real and virtual, which is why the Metaverse will be dominated by AR. Rokid’s multi-modal AR products can provide powerful power in multiple scenarios; comprehensive customized industry solutions can create deep integration applications in multiple industries. For instance, many German car factories are using Rokid Glass series products, such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche. In addition, we also combine AR glasses with epidemic prevention and control, and its advantages are more reflected in healthcare. When the temperature measuring personnel wears AR glasses, everyone’s body temperature can be recognized in real-time, so there is no need to stop the person. This product is currently used in more than 70 countries and regions around the world.”

What are the long-term goals for Rokid? What do you want to achieve over the next five years?

“Adhering to our mission of ‘leave nobody behind,’ Rokid strives to let artificial intelligence products and immersive experience enter public life through continuous improvements in product quality and consumer satisfaction. As early as 2016, Rokid has been proactively expanding our AR product pipeline across leading technological areas of optics, chips, smart voice, and visual image. Moving forward, Rokid intends to continue to deepen the development of AR and AI technology, perfectly integrate reality with the virtual world, and create a smarter scientific and technological life for the public.”

Alternatively, what are the short-term goals for Rokid? What does the next year look like for your company?

“We just launched Rokid air pro glass this year, and we expect this product to be more widely used in museums and exhibitions. Now, we have partnered with 60 museums and will expand to 200 museums by the end of this year. Besides, we are also actively developing markets in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States, and are expected to promote Rokid’s products to the global market, helping enterprises and governments create a smart life.”