Optics fair attracts top European designers for cross-continental dialogue

Shenzhen is positioning itself at the forefront of a rapidly evolving eyewear industry, as the city prepares to host the Fourth Shenzhen International Optics Fair and the Global AI Glasses Expo, which is scheduled for June 16-18 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District.

Spanning 22,500 square meters and featuring more than 300 exhibitors, the event will bring together traditional eyewear manufacturers and emerging smart technology players, highlighting a strategic pivot toward a “traditional + intelligent” dual-growth model.

In addition to the exhibition, organizers will host a series of themed forums and design exchanges featuring leading designers from China and Europe, including France, Spain, and Belgium. These sessions aim to examine the convergence of Eastern and Western aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, according to an April 7 briefing.

Participants pose for a group photo after the April 7 news conference. Photos courtesy of the event organizers

A defining feature of this year’s expo is the side-by-side layout of two dedicated halls: one for smart glasses and the other for traditional eyewear. The smart glasses hall will showcase the full industrial chain, from consumer and corporate products to micro-display assembly, optical modules, and automated production lines. It will also highlight content creation tools such as real-time 3D modeling, spatial interaction engines, and cloud rendering technologies, pointing to a maturing ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the traditional eyewear hall underscores that legacy craftsmanship remains central to the industry. Exhibits will include a full range of products, from frames and sunglasses to sports and protective eyewear, as well as advanced lens materials. A special design section will feature works by renowned designers, emphasizing the importance of ergonomics and aesthetics — the physical foundation upon which smart technologies depend.

Kou Ningyan, secretary-general of Shenzhen AI Glasses Alliance, speaks during the news conference.

Beyond product showcases, the expo is set to give the industry a boost through structural initiatives. A draft of the industry's first standard for smart glasses is expected to be released, addressing technical requirements, product compatibility, and user comfort. This move aims to tackle long-standing challenges such as fragmentation, safety concerns, and inconsistent quality, which have hindered large-scale adoption of smart glasses.

Complementing the standard is the push for unified interfaces and protocols, which could enable interoperability across devices and significantly reduce development costs. In parallel, a 2-billion-yuan industry fund dedicated to smart glasses will support innovation, commercialization, and the digital transformation of traditional manufacturers.

By integrating exhibition, standards-setting, and capital investment, Shenzhen is moving beyond hosting an industry event to shape its future rules and infrastructure. For a city already known as a global manufacturing hub, the push into smart eyewear marks a strategic leap — transforming its traditional strengths into a new competitive edge in intelligent hardware.

As the industry stands at a crossroads, the upcoming expo may well define the trajectory of eyewear’s next chapter — one where design, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence converge.