By Shania King-Soyza
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AI has been a hot topic of debate, with some arguing it’s gone too far. However, it can actually be beneficial to humanity in every aspect of life, particularly when it comes to travel . One of the biggest challenges when travelling abroad is overcoming language barriers, and while a 30-day streak on Duolingo might help, it can only get you so far when faced with fast-talking locals. But what if we could bypass the need to learn another country’s language and understand what someone else is saying without any doubt or hesitation? A new type of AI-powered glasses promises to do just that. While many people might resort to a somewhat slow translating app to communicate , these stylish frames instantly translate spoken conversations, projecting real-time subtitles directly in front of your eyes without any lag or delay. I put Rokid’s AI glasses to the test on the bustling streets of Berlin, Germany, armed with nothing more than “Guten Tag” and “Danke schön” in my German vocabulary. Suddenly, ordering food or asking for directions became a breeze. Rokid AI glasses are powered by the “world’s smallest 0.15cc micro-LED engine,” which means they’re designed to be lightweight and compact while delivering clear AR (augmented reality). This allows you to see graphics (in this case, subtitles) on top of your real-world view. Boasting “1500-nit brightness and 10 adjustable levels of dimming,” the display is designed to remain sharp and visible whether you’re in a bright or dim setting. This combination ensures that subtitles appear crisp and easy to read, allowing for smooth, real-time translation no matter where you are. Not only for conversations, these glasses can instantly translate signs, menus, and other written text, making them an invaluable tool for travellers navigating unfamiliar territories. I’m far from being a tech journalist, so when I hear “smart glasses”, the most amusement I get out of it is the novelty of it all, rather than the specifications that come with each design. However, this all changed once I tested out Rokid’s glasses. I attended IFA in Berlin, where I first encountered these impressive frames. During my quick test run, I was able to understand how the app and the glasses functioned. Call me old-fashioned, but I tend to get overwhelmed by advanced technology . However, these glasses were easy to set up and control-and trust me, if I can do it, then everybody can. Chatting to a staff member, he decided to show off the real-time translation feature by speaking in Mandarin. I was immediately gobsmacked by how swiftly and accurately the glasses translated his words. A friend of mine, also in attendance, had a go with a pair. He set the translation to Spanish while I spoke English, and the AI specs correctly translated complex sentences and “convoluted” words I used. These glasses can successfully translate multiple languages, no matter how fast or complex one speaks, which ultimately blew my mind. Taking these specs out on the streets of Berlin, locals expecting to converse with me in English were stunned when I understood their German. The only snag is needing to respond, as the glasses can’t speak for you unless you’re wearing a pair. Popping into McDonald’s (as one does in every foreign country), the server shouted out numbers in German, but there was no screen to indicate which order was ready. I was getting increasingly stressed that I wouldn’t get my grub as I didn’t understand a word, especially as my order number was 57; however, once I put the glasses back on, the translation was quick and smooth. Another drawback to these specs is the styling; I don’t think they’re particularly trendy. A Lithuanian man who was sitting beside me on my bus tour remarked that I resembled a “spy kid.” Nevertheless, these frames were just as featherlight as my regular glasses, and with all their capabilities, I can ignore their peculiar look if it means I can chat effortlessly with locals whilst travelling. 1. Integrated Camera Rokid AI Glasses don’t just provide live translation, but similar to numerous other smart specs, they boast a high-definition camera. You can capture professional-standard photos and footage regardless of the setting by simply pressing the button on the glasses or hands-free by just saying, “Hi Rokid, take a photo” or “Hi Rokid, record a video.” 2. Bluetooth Much like its rival, Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Rokid provides built-in, open-ear Bluetooth speakers for playing music and audio. Rokid’s exclusive audio technology “greatly enhances audio privacy for a more discreet call experience. A four-microphone array with integrated noise reduction algorithms effectively reduces wind noise and significantly improves voice pickup quality.” 3. Daily usage Rokid glasses don’t just support a calling function but also enable you to view and reply to text messages. You can also capture mental notes whenever with the voice-to-text feature, transcribe meeting audio, and get smart summaries. 4. AI support For travellers who depend on Google Maps for directions, Rokid provides a hands-free option for effortless navigation. Should you encounter any difficulties, the spectacles feature an integrated AI assistant. A technology specialist from Tom’s Guide characterised Rokid in this way: “ChatGPT-5 is given eyes with the camera on board for a multimodal interaction – working fast to answer questions in a more intelligent way than I’ve seen Meta AI do.” If you experience vision problems like I do, there’s no need to fret about using contact lenses alongside these intelligent spectacles. They accommodate prescription and astigmatism lenses and feature a practical clip-on mechanism for straightforward fitting and swapping. This item is presently priced at £409 on Kickstarter for a package containing Rokid spectacles, a charging case, and a prescription frame. For merely the spectacles and charging case, you’ll pay approximately £394, which undercuts its rival, Ray-Ban’s Meta Wayfarer , which costs £459. For those keen on Rokid’s intelligent spectacles, click here for more information.
