The Rokid AR Lite kit is the latest “spatial computing suite” to emerge from one of the world’s leading augmented reality wearable companies. With this kit, users don’t just get a new pair of lightweight and innovative spatial computing specs.
The Rokid AR Lite Kit pairs a set of Rokid Max 2 glasses (based on the Rokid Max glasses) with a new station system. The station is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon platform.
According to Rokid, this kit will offer both consumers and enterprise users access to a highly flexible spatial computing solution. The company launched the offering on Kickstarter to raise initial funding and even hosted a live event, showcasing what the AR Lite system will be able to do when it’s eventually released.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Rokid AR Lite.
What is the Rokid AR Lite Kit?
The Rokid AR Lite Kit is the latest augmented reality and spatial computing package offered by Rokid. If you’ve been following Rokid’s development in the augmented reality landscape, you may be familiar with some of its previous innovations.
In 2018, Rokid introduced its first AR specs, the “Glass 1” glasses. Since then, they’ve followed up with the Rokid Vision, XCraft, Glass 2, Vision2, Rokid Air, and Rokid AirPro.
Most recently, in 2023, Rokid introduced the AR Joy kit and the Rokid AR Studio. Currently, Rokid’s AR Magic Pack, Joy Pack, and standalone Rokid Max AR glasses are all on sale to prepare for introducing the AR Lite Kit and the Max 2 AR glasses.
The Rokid AR Lite Kit combines Rokid’s latest spatial computing specs (the Max 2 glasses) with the Rokid Station 2 host unit and its exclusive YodaOS-Master spatial operating system.
The AR Lite kit is Rokid’s first product powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 mobile platform. According to the company, it’s set to be a game-changer in delivering immersive experiences, empowering multitasking, and offering ergonomic AR experiences.
An official release date hasn’t yet been announced. However, the solution did eclipse its Kickstarter goals quickly, earning 1,692% of its funding in a single day. As a result, a US launch has been confirmed. Early backers could pre-order the kit for around $479. Now, the glasses are likely to cost closer to $749 when they’re officially released.
Rokid AR Lite: The Rokid Max 2 Glasses
The new set of Rokid specs included in the Rokid AR Lite kit is just one part of what makes the offering so impressive. These glasses are based on the initial Rokid Max AR glasses. These specs were already lightweight, ergonomic, and powerful, with a fantastic 215-inch virtual screen and 120Hz refresh rate.
However, the Max 2 glasses are a little different in both design and functionality. At a glance, they already seem sleeker than their predecessors, similar in style to solutions like Meta’s Ray-Ban specs with integrated AI. The Max 2 specs include 2 Micro-OLED screens, which project visuals onto the wearer’s eyes using bird-bath optics.
Weighing just 75g, they’re some of the lightest and most ergonomic glasses around. However, like the initial Max specs, they don’t include a built-in battery. This means your glasses need to be plugged into something (like a laptop or smartphone) during use.
These new specs also include a 50-degree field of view, as well as:
- 300-inch virtual screen display
- 600 nits of brightness
- 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates
- 1080p-1200p resolution
- TUV Rheinland approved design
- Integrated Hi-Fi level speakers
What makes the Rokid AR Lite specs particularly unique is the inclusion of a world-first myopia and pupillary adjustment solution. You can access 0.00D to -6.00D myopia correction, making it easy to adjust the device to suit your specific needs (and share the specs with friends).
The Rokid Station 2
The Rokid Station 2, included in the Rokid AR Lite kit, is the second part of the bundle. The glasses themselves don’t include a built-in computer or battery. So, the station gives you everything you need to power your device.
It features a 5000mAh battery, dual type-C ports, 18W fast charging, 128GB ROM, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 8GB of RAM. At a glance, the Station 2 doesn’t look like much. It’s similar in style to a mini smartphone or portable battery.
However, underneath the cover, the Station 2 is brimming with power. It enables spatial computing experiences, running on an Android skin developed by Rokid. The console is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip and can run both Android AR apps and the proprietary apps developed by Rokid.
As mentioned above, the technology is specifically designed to support a range of use cases, including AR multi-tasking. For instance, you can run three apps simultaneously, side-by-side in floating windows. It’s just like you have three monitors in front of you. Plus, thanks to built-in spatial computing capabilities, the windows are fixed in place, so you don’t have to worry about them moving around while you work.
There’s even a travel mode, similar to what you can access on the Meta Quest 3 and other leading mixed reality headsets and AR glasses.
The body of Station 2 also features a multi-touch trackpad, so you can interact with content using swipes, taps, pinching, etc. You can even navigate through the interface on your glasses by holding the station and pointing it at the content you want to access.
The Integrated Operating System
The Rokid AR Lite kit also includes full access to Rokid’s proprietary operating system. Rokid has invested significant resources into developing YodaOS-Master, its world-leading spatial browser solution.
The latest version of this operating system builds on the previous technology used in the Rokid AR Joy. This gave users access to a portal entertainment platform. Similarly, the new version allows users to experiment with a broad entertainment and app library.
This library includes all the standard AR apps you might expect, including Amazon Prime and Disney Plus.
The operating system supports 3DoF, as well as multi-application functionality, making it the first solution in the AR industry to offer such capabilities at a system level. It also empowers users to connect their smart glasses to Bluetooth devices, like a keyboard or mouse, for extra productivity.
Finishing Thoughts
The Rokid AR Lite kit won’t give you the same functionality as something like the Apple Vision Pro. Obviously, the Vision Pro is a far more advanced mixed-reality headset.
However, Rokid’s latest offering will give users access to a unique, lightweight, and comfortable spatial computing experience for a much cheaper price.
The Rokid AR Lite kit represents a significant step forward in Rokid’s roadmap and a gigantic leap in the AR specs market. The glasses might not give you an AI assistant (yet). They also can’t track all of your movements and inputs perfectly, but they do allow you to embed yourself in an AR environment.
Notably, the Max 2 glasses can work as a set of standalone glasses. You can plug them into your phones, laptops, and other devices. However, the Station 2 will only work alongside Rokid’s AR glasses. It’s uncertain whether Rokid will sell the two products separately going forward, or stick to simply offering the bundle deal.
These glasses promise to be a powerful solution for consumers and enterprise users alike.
If you want to pre-order the glasses or learn more about them, visit the Rokid website.
