Digital and contactless payments have been the standard in most regions in China for many years. However, innovation doesn’t just stop. Alipay, the digital payment giant, has partnered with augmented reality (AR) company Rokid to introduce in-store payment functionality for AR glasses in China. The collaboration marks a milestone in integrating AR technology with everyday commerce, offering users a faster and more intuitive payment experience.
AR glasses payment process
The new Rokid Glasses, embedded with Alipay’s digital payment technology, allow users to complete transactions hands-free. Through the Rokid app, users link their Alipay accounts and enable voice verification. At a store, they can issue a voice command such as “Rokid, pay 10 RMB” to initiate payment. The glasses scan the merchant’s QR code, and users confirm their transaction details via voice.
By bypassing the need for smartphones or wallets, payments via these AR glasses are completed in mere seconds, but what’s the advantage of AR payments over handpalm payment or smartphone payment?
This technology offers several advantages
- Hands-free convenience: Users can make transactions without touching their devices, an appealing feature for scenarios where their hands are occupied.
- Immersive shopping: AR glasses have the potential to enrich shopping by providing real-time product information, virtual try-ons, and personalized recommendations while facilitating instant payment.
- Streamlined process: Payment confirmation is instantaneous, removing friction in both physical and digital shopping environments.
Rokid reports that over 250,000 units of the glasses have already been ordered, and distribution will begin in June 2025.
Industry statements
Zhu Mingming, CEO of Rokid, highlighted the partnership’s significance: “Equipping Rokid Glasses with payment capabilities brings users a smoother and more intuitive experience, while also ushering the AI glasses industry into the era of payment.”
Zhang Aijuan, Vice President of Ant Group, emphasized Alipay’s role in fostering innovation, noting, “Alipay will fully support the growth of emerging industries and continue to create more value for users.”
Potential impact on future commerce and retail
Integrating payment technology into AR glasses signals a step toward future commerce trends where transactions could be as simple as looking at or pointing toward a product. Businesses might use the technology for deeper customer engagement by integrating location-specific offers and immersive interfaces. Industry analysts are closely watching how this innovation might redefine shopping experiences in retail and beyond.
Before you go: Rokid Introduces Latest AR Glasses, Rokid Max
While this technology introduces exciting prospects, its ultimate success depends on widespread adoption, the cost of AR glasses, and user familiarity with AR interfaces. Nonetheless, the partnership between Alipay and Rokid positions both companies as key players in the evolution of digital and immersive commerce.
Photo credit: Alipay and Rokid own the images shown, which they made available for media use in their press releases.
Source: Alipay press release
