Japanese electronics giant TDK Corporation has announced the acquisition of U.S.-based smart glasses technology company SoftEye, as part of its strategic pivot toward AI-enabled growth sectors. The deal, reported to be valued at under $100 million according to sources familiar with the matter, reflects TDK’s broader efforts to expand beyond its core battery manufacturing business.
Headquartered in San Diego, California, SoftEye specializes in advanced software and hardware systems for smart glasses, with a focus on eye-tracking and object recognition technologies. The company was founded by Te-Won Lee, a veteran executive with previous roles at Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm.
With this acquisition, TDK aims to deepen its footprint in the emerging field of wearable AI technologies. The company, widely known for its legacy in magnetic media and now a major supplier of electronic components and batteries, has been increasingly positioning itself at the intersection of hardware and artificial intelligence.
The move comes amid growing industry momentum around smart glasses as the next frontier in consumer tech. Major players—including Meta, Snap, Google, and Qualcomm—have all announced or demonstrated smart eyewear products that leverage AI for interactive and immersive user experiences.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has been investing heavily in wearable devices to support its augmented reality ambitions. Snap has also revealed plans to release consumer-focused smart glasses in the coming year. Google, meanwhile, showcased its latest smart glasses prototype at its recent developer conference, while Qualcomm unveiled a new processor designed specifically for smart eyewear applications.
TDK’s acquisition of SoftEye underscores the increasing convergence of advanced hardware, vision-based AI, and next-generation wearable devices. With the addition of SoftEye’s capabilities, TDK is expected to enhance its smart glasses offerings, particularly in the areas of user interface innovation and machine vision.
The transaction further aligns with TDK’s long-term strategy to diversify its portfolio and tap into high-growth, AI-adjacent markets, reinforcing its evolution from a legacy electronics brand to a forward-looking technology enabler.
