South Korean startup LetinAR is focusing on building the optical systems that power AI-enabled smart glasses, positioning itself as a key player in the growing wearable AI industry. Rather than manufacturing the glasses themselves, the company develops the tiny optical modules responsible for projecting images into a user’s field of vision.
The company recently raised $18.5 million in funding from investors including Korea Development Bank and Lotte Ventures, the venture investment arm of South Korean retail giant Lotte Group. The funding comes ahead of LetinAR’s planned IPO in South Korea, which is currently targeted for 2027.
LetinAR has spent nearly a decade developing lightweight and energy-efficient optical technology designed specifically for wearable AI devices. According to the company, one of the biggest challenges in creating practical AI glasses is designing lenses that are thin, comfortable, power-efficient, and capable of delivering sharp visual quality at the same time.
The startup believes AI glasses could become the next major computing platform after smartphones. “We see AI glasses as that next platform,” the company said, while also emphasizing that the optical module remains one of the most technically difficult components to perfect.
Interest in AI-powered smart glasses has been increasing across the tech industry, with companies such as Meta, Google, Samsung, and Snap continuing to invest in wearable AI and augmented reality technologies. LetinAR aims to supply the critical optical infrastructure that could help make these next-generation devices lighter, more wearable, and commercially viable.
