Lixiang Introduces Livis: AI-Powered Smart Glasses Expanding Beyond the Car Cabin
Lixiang (Li Auto), one of China’s fastest-growing premium EV manufacturers, is stepping outside the automotive world with the introduction of Livis — a new pair of AI-powered smart glasses built on the company’s proprietary Mind GPT platform. The official presentation will take place on December 3, marking the brand’s first true consumer electronics product designed entirely in-house.
Although Lixiang established itself through large family-oriented electric SUVs, its move toward smart devices reflects a broader strategy: extending the digital experience of its vehicles into a multi-device ecosystem. Livis is expected to work as a natural extension of the brand’s onboard AI, bringing a hands-free interface for productivity, entertainment and in-car interaction.
A New Direction After Early VR/AR Experiments
Lixiang’s interest in advanced eyewear began back in 2022, when the company partnered with Leiniao — a TCL Electronics subsidiary specializing in AR headsets. Together they created Leiniao Air XR glasses, offered as an optional cinematic add-on for the flagship L9 SUV. With a 140-inch virtual display and immersive audio, the accessory transformed the second row into a personal cinema.
Livis, however, represents a completely different milestone. Unlike the earlier XR glasses sourced from a third-party manufacturer, the new device is fully designed and engineered by Lixiang itself. CEO Li Xiang openly confirmed that the company now sees strategic potential in a wider ecosystem of smart AI gadgets, including smart speakers and other home-assistant devices. The only area Li Auto firmly excludes is smartphones — a market it does not plan to enter.
Mind GPT and Tongxue: The Brain Behind Livis
At the core of Livis is Mind GPT, Lixiang’s proprietary large language model powering the brand’s AI systems. Built to support creative tasks, natural conversation and multi-modal understanding, this engine brings automotive-grade intelligence into a consumer device.
The voice control system is handled by Tongxue — Lixiang’s native assistant, trained specifically to support contextual queries, creative help and in-car functionality. The assistant features a special “child mode,” making the device more family-friendly and aligned with the brand’s focus on household customers.
The name “Livis” is phonetically similar to “Jarvis,” Iron Man Tony Stark’s fictional AI companion, and according to Chinese media this resemblance is not accidental. Lixiang’s ambition is to build a living-world equivalent of that ultra-capable virtual assistant — one that could coordinate tasks across the home, the car and personal devices.
Expected Features and Technical Highlights
While full specifications will be revealed during the December presentation, several expected technical directions can already be outlined based on Lixiang’s previous AR partnership and current AI stack:
Optics and Display
Livis is likely to use micro-OLED or similar high-resolution projection technology, offering a lightweight optical module suitable for mixed-reality overlays or cinema-like video output. The earlier Leiniao headset delivered a 1920×1080 per-eye picture; Livis should at least match or exceed that resolution.
AI-Centric User Interaction
With Tongxue acting as the main interface, Livis will prioritize voice-first interaction. Users may be able to control navigation, search information, draft content, or formulate creative tasks through natural speech — similar to the experience inside Li Auto vehicles.
Connectivity
The glasses are expected to integrate seamlessly with Li Auto SUVs, acting as an additional screen for entertainment or productivity. Potential wireless standards include Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.x, enabling low-latency visuals and stable audio output.
Battery and Portability
Smart glasses require efficient power management. It is expected that Lixiang will implement a compact battery supporting multiple hours of video playback or assistant use, possibly with fast charging through USB-C.
Weight and Comfort
Leiniao’s previous glasses weighed around 80 g. As Livis is marketed as a lifestyle device rather than a niche XR accessory, comfort, reduced weight and a more conventional eyewear profile will likely be key elements.
Why This Matters for the Future of Smart Mobility
The introduction of Livis reflects a larger trend: the merging of automotive AI ecosystems with personal electronics. As modern premium EVs integrate massive screens, advanced digital assistants and natural-language interfaces, brands are now looking at ways to extend the same environment outside the car.
