The Deepseek Moment for AI Glasses: Focusing on Sports Glasses and Market

In recent days, the topic of Deepseek has been heating up, with engineering technologies enabling alternatives to major US models like OAI. This has sparked discussions about where the "Deepseek moment" for AI glasses might occur and which Chinese companies could be the counterparts to US giants like Meta in the AI glasses market.

The Potential of Sports Glasses

One promising area is sports glasses, which include cycling goggles, ski goggles, swim goggles, and more. In these scenarios, users need to wear glasses to free their hands and have a demand for sports tracking and AI assistant functions. As of 2023, the global sports glasses market size had reached 44.28 billion yuan.

The Emergence of AI Sports Glasses

AI sports glasses are poised to disrupt the market, much like how Deepseek is challenging established AI models. These glasses not only provide visual and auditory interaction through AI assistants but also incorporate features like heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring for sports tracking. This functionality overlaps significantly with that of smartwatches and fitness bands, and with similar price points, AI sports glasses could potentially replace a portion of the smart wristwear market.

According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the global wearable device market shipped 140 million units in the first three quarters of 2024. With the recovery of consumer electronics, this number is expected to exceed 190-200 million units in 2025. The smartwatch market alone is valued at 300-400 billion yuan, with an average price of 1,500-2,000 yuan per unit. If AI sports glasses can capture 30-50% of this market, the potential market space could reach 100-200 billion yuan.

Meta's Strategy and the Role of Chinese Companies

Meta, as a leading player in the AI glasses market, plans to launch Oakley-branded smart glasses in 2025, targeting cyclists and other sports enthusiasts. This move is expected to accelerate market education and increase product penetration. However, Chinese companies are also making significant strides in this space.

For example, Li Weike's MetaLens S1 Pro professional sports version already offers visual and auditory AI assistant functions along with heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring. As the market matures, Chinese companies could play a crucial role in driving innovation and market expansion, much like Deepseek's impact on the AI model landscape.

Financial Prospects and Market Outlook

From a financial perspective, the gross profit margin of Meta's Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is around 60%, with a net profit margin of 30-40%. This indicates strong profitability in the AI glasses market. As the market grows, companies that can effectively manage costs and innovate will be well-positioned to capture significant market share.

Meta has stated that 2025 will be a pivotal year for AI glasses, with the potential for breakthrough products to reach 5-10 million units in sales by the third generation. This year will determine whether AI glasses can evolve into the next-generation computing platform with billions of units shipped.

Conclusion

The "Deepseek moment" for AI glasses is likely to occur in the sports glasses segment, where the combination of functionality and market demand creates significant opportunities. Chinese companies, with their innovative capabilities and market insights, are well-placed to lead this transformation. As the market continues to evolve, the sports glasses niche could see a 5-10 times increase in market space compared to traditional AI glasses, making it a key area to watch in the coming years.