I tried AI glasses that translate for you in a foreign country - locals were shocked

Some people believe AI has gone too far, but it can actually benefit humanity in every aspect of life - especially when travelling. Heading abroad often comes with the challenge of language barriers, and a 30-day streak on Duolingo can only take you so far when confronted by fast-speaking locals.

But what if we no longer need to rely on learning another country's native language and actually know what another person is saying without doubt or hesitation? A new kind of AI-powered glasses promises to do exactly that. Though many people will turn to a rather slow translating app to communicate, these sleek frames instantly translate spoken conversations, projecting real-time subtitles right in front of your eyes without lag or delay.

I tried Rokid's AI glasses on the bustling streets of Berlin, Germany, without knowing any German other than "Guten Tag" and "Danke schön." Suddenly, ordering food or asking for directions became effortless.

How does Rokid's translation work?

Rokid AI glasses are powered by the "world's smallest 0.15cc micro-LED engine," meaning they are built to remain lightweight and compact while delivering clear AR (augmented reality). This allows you to see graphics (in this case, subtitles) on top of what you see in the real world.

With "1500-nit brightness and 10 adjustable levels of dimming," the display is designed to stay sharp and visible whether you are in a bright or dim location. This combination ensures that subtitles appear crisp and easy to read, allowing for smooth, real-time translation no matter where you are.

Beyond conversations, the glasses can instantly translate signs, menus, and other written text, making them an invaluable tool for travellers navigating unfamiliar environments.

My impression

I am far from a tech journalist, so when one hears "smart glasses", the most amusement I get out of it is the novelty of it all, rather than the specifications that come with each design. However, this all changed once I tested out Rokid's glasses.

I attended IFA in Berlin, where I was first introduced to these impressive frames. During my quick test run, I was able to understand how the app and the glasses functioned. Call me an old lady, but I tend to get overwhelmed by advanced technology. However, these glasses were easy to set up and control-and trust me, if I can do it, then everybody can.

Chatting to one of the staff members, he decided to communicate in Mandarin to show off how the real-time translation works, and I was immediately shocked by how fast and accurately the glasses translated what he said. A friend of mine also tested out a pair. He had the translation set to Spanish while I spoke English, and the AI frames correctly translated complex sentences and "convoluted" words I used.

These glasses can successfully translate multiple languages, no matter how fast or complex one speaks, which ultimately blew my mind. Taking these frames into the streets of Berlin, locals who expected to speak to me in English were shocked that I knew what they said in German. The only downside is needing to respond, as the glasses cannot communicate for you unless you are wearing a pair.

Heading to McDonald's (as one must do in every foreign country), the server called out numbers in German, but there was no screen to indicate which order was ready. I was becoming increasingly stressed that I wouldn't get my food as I didn't understand a word, especially as my number was 57; however, once I put back on the glasses, the translation was quick and smooth.

Another downside to these glasses is the style; I don't think they're very fashionable. A Luthianian man who sat next to me on my bus tour noted that I looked like a "spy kid." Nonetheless, these frames were just as lightweight as my traditional glasses, and with all their features, I can overlook their funny appearance if it means I can communicate seamlessly with locals when I travel.

What else can these glasses do?

1. Built-in Camera

Rokid AI Glasses not only have live translation, but like many other smart glasses, they feature a high-definition camera. You can take professional-looking photos and videos no matter the environment by simply tapping the button on the glasses or hands-free by simply saying, "Hi Rokid, take a photo" or "Hi Rokid, record a video."

2. Bluetooth

Just like its competitor, Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Rokid offers built-in, open-ear Bluetooth speakers for listening to music and audio. Rokid's proprietary audio system "greatly enhances audio privacy for a more discreet call experience. A four-microphone array with integrated noise reduction algorithms effectively reduces wind noise and significantly improves voice pickup quality."

3. Everyday use

Rokid glasses not only support a calling feature but also allow you to see and respond to text messages. You can also record mental notes anytime with the voice-to-text option, transcribe meeting audio, and receive smart summaries.

4. AI assistance

For travellers who rely on Google Maps for directions, Rokid offers a hands-free solution for easy navigation. If you get stuck in any capacity, the glasses have a built-in AI assistant.

A tech expert from Tom's Guide described Rokid as follows: "ChatGPT-5 is given eyes with the camera on board for a multimodal interaction - working fast to answer questions in a more intelligent way than I've seen Meta AI do."

If you suffer from poor eyesight like I do, you don't need to worry about wearing contact lenses with these smart glasses. They support prescription and astigmatism lenses and have a convenient clip-on design for easy installation and replacement.

This product currently retails at £409 on Kickstarter for a bundle that includes Rokid glasses, a charging case, and a prescription frame. For just the glasses and charging case, it will cost you roughly £394, which is cheaper than its competitor, Ray-Ban's Meta Wayfarer, which will set you back £459.

For those interested in Rokid's smart glasses, click here for more information.