Alibaba unveils AI cockpit, smart glasses & city tech push

Alibaba Group has unveiled a suite of artificial intelligence solutions, including a next-generation automotive cockpit system, new enterprise partnerships, and an AI-powered smart glasses product.

The company introduced its large multimodal model (LMM) for intelligence automotive cockpits, developed in collaboration with Qualcomm and Banma. The solution is powered by Alibaba's Qwen models and is designed to create a more natural and proactive in-car experience. Additionally, Alibaba announced the launch of its first self-developed wearable device, Quark AI Glasses, which integrates real-time translation, transcription, and direct access to Alibaba's ecosystem.

Automotive intelligence

The next-generation AI cockpit experience is underpinned by Alibaba's Qwen-enabled LMM, tailored for integration in automotive settings. The system runs on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8397 platform and incorporates Banma's Yan AI intelligent assistant. The assistant leverages Qwen's language and visual processing, as well as contextual reasoning, to facilitate seamless human-vehicle interaction.

Drivers are able to issue voice commands to complete routine tasks such as reserving restaurant tables, purchasing cinema tickets, requesting navigation, or identifying the fastest route. Beyond simple responses, Yan AI is equipped to anticipate driver needs, for example by suggesting adjustments to cabin temperature or recommending music playlists during extended journeys.

"The innovations underscore Alibaba's growing role as a leader in applied generative AI, delivering intelligent solutions that are not only technologically advanced but deeply integrated into everyday experiences and industrial workflows," said Jingren Zhou, CTO of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

Enterprise partnerships

Alibaba also highlighted collaborations with international organisations aiming to transform industrial operations through the Qwen platform, especially in the smart city and facility management sectors. An example is Signify, a global lighting company, which has launched a GenAI agent powered by Qwen and integrated within its Interact City Flex connected street lighting system.

This deployment allows the automated system to monitor, control, and manage urban street lighting, aiming to reduce energy consumption while supporting maintenance efficiency. Signify's GenAI agent simplifies operational complexity, enabling users to create and implement AI-driven dimming strategies via natural language commands, and to identify and resolve anomalies in facility management more efficiently.

"Digital transformation in urban environments relies on intelligent systems that make city management smarter and more sustainable," said Hans Nikol, Head of Open Innovation of Signify. "By making use of Alibaba's Qwen model in our GenAI Agent, we're empowering cities to proactively reduce energy consumption and lower operational costs. This collaboration marks an important step in intelligent city management and underlines our commitment to innovation and our vision for greener, brighter cities."

Quark AI Glasses

Marking its entry into wearable consumer technology, Alibaba introduced the Quark AI Glasses. The device merges the Qwen large language model with Quark's multimodal AI, offering hands-free calling, music streaming, real-time language translation, and meeting transcription. The product is designed as an all-day assistant targeting professionals, travellers, and users seeking integrated AI capability.

Quark AI Glasses are lightweight and feature an ergonomic design, with a focus on providing long battery life and high-quality imaging. A notable feature is interoperability with Alibaba's broader digital ecosystem. Users will be able to access Amap navigation via a near-eye display, use Alipay for mobile transactions, compare prices on Taobao while shopping, and receive travel notifications from Fliggy - all through voice commands.

The Quark AI Glasses are scheduled for release in China by the end of 2025.

Qwen model adoption

Alibaba states that the Qwen model series has received over 400 million downloads, with more than 140,000 derivative models created, positioning it as one of the world's most widely adopted open-source artificial intelligence series.

The initiatives presented confirm Alibaba's strategy of embedding ambient, context-aware AI in both personal and enterprise settings for applications ranging from smart mobility and urban sustainability to next-generation wearable technology.