Xreal, Google’s smartglasses partner, thinks it has finally mastered this notoriously tricky industry

Chi Xu, founder and CEO of Xreal, believes the smart glasses industry is finally reaching an inflection point after years of losses and failed products. At Google I/O, Xreal showcased Project Aura — wired XR glasses with OLED displays powered by a pocket-sized 'puck' computer. Features include an immersive Google Maps app, VR YouTube, hand-tracked painting, and games. Currently available only to developers, Aura is set for a commercial launch later in 2026. Xreal is also working toward an IPO and expects to break even next year as it improves gross margins and cuts marketing costs.