HTC has reignited interest in AI eyewear with the recent launch of the Vive Eagle, the company's first AI glasses. Google is also rumored to have completed development of its own AI glasses, with Quanta in charge of prototype design. However, Google has yet to decide who will be its contract manufacturer. Although Quanta is a strong contender, market rumors suggest HTC may also produce Google's first AI glasses.
HTC's Vive Eagle is the first set of AI glasses to support Traditional Chinese voice control, and is the world's first branded wearable device to adopt an open AI architecture, allowing users a highly personalized AI assistant experience through seamless integration with large language models such as Google Gemini and OpenAI's GPT.
On August 21, 2025, HTC senior vice president Charles Huang stated that the company will continue to expand AI functions and application scenarios through software updates in the future.
In Huang's opinion, the rapid development of generative AI, as well as mature AR/VR, cloud computing, and edge computing technologies, has brought diverse options and innovations to human-computer interaction. After smartphones and smartwatches, AI glasses are expected to emerge as essential mobile devices, which will drive rapid expansion across the industry.
In addition, data shows that global smart glasses shipments grew by 210% year-over-year in 2024, with a further increase of 60% projected for 2025, and a compound annual growth rate over 60% through 2029, noted Huang.
HTC boasts that the Vive Eagle is 100% made in Taiwan, produced primarily at the company's own Taoyuan facility. Google's first foray into AI glasses is reportedly to be "made in Taiwan" as well, sparking curiosity about which manufacturer will ultimately land the contract for this product.
Although Quanta produced the prototype for Google's AI glasses, HTC recently transferred some AR/VR R&D personnel and non-exclusive licensed patents to Google for US$250 million, leaving room for future collaboration between the two companies. HTC previously sold its Powered by HTC smartphone division to Google for US$1.1 billion in a one-time deal, and some industry sources believe it might be less than ideal for HTC if the recent US$250 million transaction is also a one-off.
Although contract manufacturing is no longer HTC's core business, the company has demonstrated that it does have the capacity by producing its own AI glasses. If HTC does manage to secure Google's manufacturing contract, this would be a major boon to the company in improving capacity utilization at its Taoyuan plant and expanding operations. Ultimately, however, this will depend on HTC's strategic plans.
Article edited by Charlene Chen
