- Fintech giant debuts first consumer AI hardware product at $132 entry price
- Move deepens Alibaba ecosystem’s push into next-generation wearable computing
Ant Group has quietly launched its first self-developed AI glasses product, called Willit, marking the fintech giant’s entry into consumer AI hardware as competition intensifies around next-generation wearable devices.
The company recently began selling the glasses on Taobao alongside a companion mobile app, Willit AI, which has also appeared on major Chinese app stores. Entry-level models start at 899 yuan ($132).
Willit comes in sunglasses and photochromic versions. The sunglasses model has already sold more than 1,000 units on Taobao, according to the product page.
AI-enabled interactions
The device supports photography, video recording, calls, music playback, real-time translation, transcription, AI chat and image recognition.
Higher-end versions add AI assistant functions, question-answering features and access to third-party services.
Corporate registration records show the operating entity behind the product is Beijing Ant Zoro Technology Co., whose senior executives include Zhao Wenbiao, senior vice president of Ant Group and chief executive of Ant Digital Technologies.
The entity is affiliated with Zoloz, Ant’s digital identity verification platform, suggesting the company sees AI wearables as a strategic consumer entry point beyond payments and financial services.
However, customer service representatives for the online store said the current version does not yet support payment functions.
Key battleground
Industry analysts say AI glasses are emerging as a key battleground for next-generation human-computer interaction, combining voice, visual recognition and large language models into wearable devices.
While Willit currently lacks payment integration, the launch could help Ant secure a foothold in future AI-driven consumer ecosystems.
The product also raises questions about potential overlap within the broader Alibaba Group ecosystem, where separate teams are already developing Qwen-branded AI glasses.
According to market research firm Omdia, global AI glasses shipments rose from 340,000 units in 2023 to more than 8.7 million units in 2025, with China emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets.
