Artificial intelligence (AI) glasses developed by Samsung Electronics in collaboration with Google have been unveiled. Following its first extended reality (XR) headset 'Galaxy XR,' Samsung introduces a glasses-type wearable device, starting the expansion of the Android XR-based device ecosystem.
Samsung Electronics and Google unveiled two types of Android XR-based 'AI Glasses' at 'Google I/O 2026' held at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California, on the 19th (local time).
This is the first time the actual products have been disclosed since announcing a collaboration with global eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker last December. The product is a glasses-type wearable device without a display. With a built-in speaker, camera, and microphone, users can execute major functions with their voice without taking out their smartphones. The design consists of two types that reflect Gentle Monster's bold and unique style and Warby Parker's classic sensibility.
AI Glasses provide functions to receive route guidance or get recommendations for nearby places by calling Google's AI 'Gemini' linked with a smartphone. It also supports conversation translation, translation of text the user is looking at such as menus and signs, summary of incoming messages, and voice-based schedule additions. Users can also immediately take a photo of the scene they are currently looking at with the camera mounted on the glasses.
Samsung Electronics is known to have put significant effort into the fit and design perfection during the AI Glasses development process. Since the usability of glasses-type devices varies greatly depending on the face shape and wearing habits, weight reduction and ergonomic design determine product competitiveness. Considering the product characteristics where it is difficult to put a separate operating device, it is reported that they also put effort into voice recognition and camera/sensor-based control technologies.
The new product is expected to expand the Android XR platform ecosystem, jointly developed by Samsung Electronics, Google, and Qualcomm, into glasses-type devices. If the Galaxy XR disclosed last December was a device that announced the start of the Android XR ecosystem, AI Glasses are projected to play a role in widening the scope of utilization by putting daily wearability at the forefront.
Samsung Electronics plans to launch the AI Glasses in the second half of this year. Detailed product specifications and sales strategies will be disclosed later. The industry expects Samsung Electronics to mention the release timing of the AI Glasses at the new Galaxy product unveiling event in the second half of the year.
“These AI Glasses are an important milestone expanding Samsung's AI vision,” said Kim Jeong-hyun, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics' MX Business Division. “Based on Samsung's mobile leadership and collaboration with partners, we will focus on expanding the Galaxy ecosystem experience to provide a more meaningful user experience,” Kim said.
“The new glasses are a product that embodies the shared vision of Google and Samsung to make AI more useful in daily life,” emphasized Shahram Izadi, vice president of Android XR at Google. “By adding the premium design of eyewear partners to Samsung's hardware leadership, we will provide a natural hands-free experience,” Izadi said.
