ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is reportedly venturing into the tech world with the development of AI smart glasses. Recent reports suggest that the organization aims to create a wearable device capable of capturing high-quality images and videos while optimizing battery life. This effort marks a significant step for ByteDance, which has dabbled in AI devices before, but is now focusing on a larger-scale product.
Sources indicate that ByteDance has recruited engineers specializing in hardware design for this project, which began around a year ago. The company is said to be in discussions with suppliers to finalize specifications, features, and the pricing structure for the smart glasses. The intention is to ensure that the device meets their goals without sacrificing functionality or battery performance.
ByteDance’s ambitions do not solely rest on its smart glasses; it is also expanding into the augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) domain. During the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, ByteDance announced a partnership with Qualcomm to develop a next-generation VR headset aimed at competing with Meta’s Oculus Quest series. Furthermore, ByteDance’s earlier acquisition of VR headset maker Pico in August 2021 underscores its commitment to consumer-focused AI technologies.
The potential introduction of ByteDance’s AI smart glasses signifies a strategic move to challenge existing offerings in the market, including Meta’s Quest headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses. As the company enhances its product range, it hopes to differentiate itself and capitalize on the growing demand for advanced wearable technology. Overall, this push into AI and AR/VR spaces reveals ByteDance’s intent to expand its influence beyond social media and into hardware development, aiming for a significant role in the consumer technology landscape.