Alibaba's Qianwen brand showcased its new N1 AI glasses at the 2026 Bund Summit. The device was presented under heavy concealment, limiting public access to its full hardware specifications. The company confirmed that the model lacks a built-in display, which may result in a lower retail price compared to the existing S1 model.
The N1 model introduces iris recognition technology, which the company claims has a false acceptance rate of less than one in a million. This feature enables identity verification and eye-tracking functionality for payment terminals in complex environments. The glasses are designed to facilitate hands-free authentication during transactions.
Qianwen continues to expand its AI hardware portfolio throughout the year, following the earlier releases of the S1 and G1 smart glasses. During the World Artificial Intelligence Conference held in July, the company demonstrated several advanced capabilities, including full-duplex voice interaction, eye tracking, and physiological monitoring, which are expected to be integrated into future devices.
