Qualcomm brings XR Day to India, showcases Snapdragon-powered smart glasses and AI breakthroughs

Qualcomm Technologies has initiated its "Snapdragon for India: XR Day" campaign, emphasizing its commitment to advance spatial computing in the nation. The launch event in New Delhi gathered a diverse group of developers, creators, industry specialists, and media representatives to discuss the transformative potential of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR platforms in crafting the next generation of immersive experiences. During the event, Alex Katouzian, Group General Manager for Mobile, Compute & XR at Qualcomm Technologies, showcased the extensive reach of Snapdragon XR platforms, which currently power over 100 augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) devices. He presented a demonstration featuring a small language model (SLM) operating locally on a pair of AI glasses, highlighting Snapdragon’s capability to conduct AI processing both in the cloud and directly on devices. Katouzian emphasized the increasing significance of artificial intelligence within XR experiences, illustrating how modern AI technologies enable devices to perceive and respond to their surroundings in real time, fostering more personalized user interactions. He characterized this evolution as the next wave of computing, which is immersive, intuitive, and seamlessly woven into everyday life. A noteworthy announcement at the event was Qualcomm’s partnership with Indian eyewear company Lenskart. The forthcoming smart glasses from Lenskart will feature Snapdragon chipsets, marking a significant move by Qualcomm to introduce AI-powered eyewear to the Indian market. Savi Soin, Senior Vice President & President of Qualcomm India, remarked, "India is at the forefront of a transformative change in how reality is perceived. Qualcomm Technologies envisions a future where smart glasses become as essential to daily routines as smartphones, effortlessly managing daily tasks." Soin further explained that Snapdragon platforms are designed to provide a harmonious blend of sleek, lightweight aesthetics and robust functionality, making smart glasses practical and user-friendly for everyday applications. This landmark event signifies a pivotal moment in introducing spatial computing to Indian consumers and positions India as a key player in the global immersive technology landscape. Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat, Qualcomm’s technologies aim to empower frontline workers, reshape education in remote areas, and enhance inclusive digital access. The XR Day showcased various applications in education, fitness, content creation, and entertainment, underlining the extensive impact spatial computing technologies can have across different sectors.