Engineer who previously worked at Apple creates AI chip to rival Apple Vision Pro technology in China
GravityXR, the new venture from former Apple engineer Wang Chaohao, has revealed a new AI smart glasses chip that could outperform Apple Vision Pro. Check details here.
A Chinese startup founded by former Apple engineer Wang Chaohao is in the news after unveiling its AI smart glasses chip. After leaving Apple’s extended reality division, Chaohao leads GravityXR in China, aiming to deliver components that can challenge Apple’s own high-end devices.
What is the AI chip of GravityXR?
GravityXR’s latest announcement is the Jizhi G-X100, which is described as China’s first all-in-one mixed reality chip using advanced 5nm technology. This new chip is designed to power lightweight AI glasses and headsets, positioning it as a potential competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro, which currently leads the premium XR hardware segment.
Is it better than Apple’s technology?
The most striking feature of the G-X100 is its photon-to-photon latency of 9 milliseconds, which, according to the company, is higher than the 12 milliseconds achieved by Apple’s Vision Pro headset. For users, lower latency means more seamless and responsive virtual and augmented reality experiences. GravityXR says the new chip is suitable for a wide range of devices, from compact AI glasses to advanced XR headsets.
Spatial computing, the field enabled by this hardware, allows digital devices to process and “see” the real world, integrating physical environments with virtual content. The Jizhi G-X100’s combination of high-speed performance and low latency reflects a broader industry trend, where companies are racing to bridge the gap between physical and digital perception in XR and AI wearables.
Wang Chaohao’s transition from Apple to founding GravityXR in China also marks a notable shift in the talent landscape. Apple’s extended reality unit and his background at Stanford University add credibility to the venture. GravityXR aims to provide a local alternative to US tech giants in a market that is prioritizing technological self-reliance at a time when tensions remain between the US and China over high-end technology such as AI chips.
The former Apple engineer’s venture has already found a number of backers, including the likes of Hongshan, formerly Sequoia Capital China, Gaorong Capital, Chinese contract electronics manufacturer Goertech and video game developer miHoYo.
