Meet the Product Manager Driving XREAL’s Hardware and Software Innovation, Zongkai Liu
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The Journey to CES 2025 Begins
As CES 2025 draws closer, we continue our interview series showcasing the leaders shaping XREAL’s future. Today, we’re excited to spotlight Zongkai Liu, XREAL’s Product Manager.Zongkai leads a team covering both hardware and software, overseeing products like the XREAL Beam lineup and the revolutionary XREAL glasses series. Though he joined XREAL less than a year ago, Zongkai brings deep experience as a longtime XREAL user, inspired by the global community of AR enthusiasts. His passion for creating better products drives the team to achieve remarkable innovation.
Behind the Scenes with Zongkai Liu
Question: Who are you, and what do you do at XREAL?
Zongkai Liu: I’m Zongkai Liu. I’m the Product Manager at XREAL. My team is made up of several members covering both hardware and software for the glasses lineup, as well as the computing puck lineup that includes the XREAL Beam Pro, XREAL Beam, and so on.
I joined XREAL less than a year ago, but I’ve been an XREAL user since 2022, so I’m well-acquainted with the lineup. I’m truly encouraged by our massive user base from all over the world, and I believe we have the power to make even better products with the team!
Did you know XREAL's Beijing office has two office cats? Sometimes they can be a little mischievous...
Question: What is, in your opinion, the most exciting development from this year (2024)?
Zongkai Liu: I would say launching the XREAL One Series is my most memorable moment of this year. This launch marks a huge first for us: the inclusion of our own proprietary chip, the X1, in a pair of consumer-ready AR glasses.
We believe that 3DoF is currently the most accessible version of spatial display, though 6DoF remains the end goal. The development of the X1 chip over the past two years has been a challenging journey, but it was crucial for us to deliver a consistent and high-quality 3DoF experience across as many devices as possible.
While we’ve made great strides, there are still gaps in accessibility. In some cases, enabling spatial display for smartphones and laptops requires additional apps or accessories. To address this, we created the XREAL Beam—a puck device that bridges the gap between glasses and host devices, enabling 3DoF spatial display on a wider range of devices. While innovative, it also brought challenges, such as a more complex setup with multiple USB-C cables.
With the X1 chip, we’ve finally developed a series of glasses that stand as true standalone devices: the XREAL One and XREAL One Pro. Compatible with any device supporting DisplayPort over USB-C, these glasses deliver a unified 3DoF spatial experience with incredibly low latency.
The X1 chip represents a new era. From now on, AR glasses will be categorized as those powered by the groundbreaking X1 chip and everything else. We’re thrilled to share even more updates and features enabled by the X1 at CES 2025!
Fun Fact: Zongkai has been snowboarding since 2007 and has won multiple competitions in China.
Question: In your role, what are you bringing to CES 2025?
Zongkai Liu: The XREAL One Pro is definitely the superstar at CES 2025. With its immersive 57-degree FOV, it’s a game-changer.
We’ll also showcase a variety of compatible gadgets to demonstrate the versatility of our products. If you stop by our booth, you’ll see why we call the XREAL One Series “AR for ALL!”
Question: What’s your favorite XREAL device of all time?
Zongkai Liu: The XREAL One Pro is my clear favorite. I’ve been testing it since day one, watching its evolution, and it never fails to impress me. It’s the ultimate portable spatial display.
That said, before the new models, the Nreal Air Glasses (2022) were my go-to. I spent so much time with them, they’re practically my best friend.
Question: What’s something outside of the XREAL booth that you’re hoping to see or learn more about at CES 2025?
Zongkai Liu: I’m making a list of all the intriguing products and booths at CES and plan to visit as many as I can. I’m particularly interested in AI gadgets, especially emotion-monitoring and detection technologies. Of course, I’ll also check out XR, AR, and VR booths to connect with peers in the field.
Zongkai's favorite XREAL device, the XREAL One Pro, is now available for preorder on xreal.com.
Join US at CES 2025
Zongkai’s dedication to pushing boundaries and delivering innovative products is a cornerstone of XREAL’s success. His work ensures that XREAL continues to set the standard in AR technology.
Want to connect with us at CES 2025? Fill out the link, and we’ll be in touch:
