![[VR Was Step One. This Is What Comes Next.webp]] # VR Was Step One. This Is What Comes Next. ## Detailed outline ### Cold open — stairs that felt shorter - At **IFA Berlin 2026** day one, host walks a flight of stairs that somehow feels like fewer steps — the sensation comes from wearing a hip **exoskeleton**. - Emotional rhyme: same “new senses” jolt as putting on a first **VR headset**. - Channel thesis reframed after ~**nine years**: still about tech that changes how you experience the world / different realities — but that tech is no longer only on your face. - First-time **IFA** for Cas and **Chary** (“Cherry” in ASR): robots in one hall, appliances in the next, glasses in between; also try a scuba mask with a display that becomes the favorite screen of the show; robots, exo, and a camera that flies. - New episode format — three layers: **things on your face**, **things that move you**, **things that move for you**. Asks viewers at the end whether to keep the broader “future tech” lane or return to XR-only. ### Layer 1 — On your face (smart glasses + AR dive mask) #### RayNeo GT (and GT Max context) - **RayNeo** launches **three** pairs at IFA; host has already reviewed two (links in description — **RayNeo iO**, **RayNeo GT Max**). - First hands-on with the **GT** — RayNeo’s new **cinema glasses** line: - **Micro-OLED**, **120 Hz** - **Bang & Olufsen** speakers - On-device **head tracking** (3DoF) in the glasses (not phone-side) so you can pin a virtual screen and still turn your head - With RayNeo **Pocket TV** puck: first video glasses claimed to do **Dolby Vision** - **GT vs GT Max** optics tradeoff: - **GT**: older **birdbath** optics — **46°** FOV (smaller virtual screen), thicker lens stack / chunkier look; **68 g**; less chromatic aberration / bottom reflection in short demo; **one size** (easy to hand off) - **GT Max**: new **prism** optics (same idea as **XREAL One Pro**); **59°** FOV; **78 g**; ships in **three IPD sizes** (sharing requires checking IPD) - Price: **GT $329** — **$100** less than Max; framed as cheapest known path to **native 3DoF** in glasses if you don’t need the wider screen. Text-readability left for a proper review. #### Xiaomi smart glasses (no display) - Xiaomi’s first IFA presence framed as huge: Samsung reportedly left the main hall after ~**35 years**; Xiaomi takes ~**3,300 m²** / ~**380 products** (TVs, robot vacuums, a humanoid, two cars) — and a pair of glasses in the middle. - **No display** — **Ray-Ban Meta**-class form factor: **12 MP** camera, **five mics**, **~40 g**. - Standout: **electrochromic** lenses — swipe the temple to change tint live; color SKU shifts among purple / blue / pink / gray (host has only seen similar tint tricks on **Camilo**’s glasses, which lacked camera/AI). - Battery: rated **~8 hours** mixed use; **USB-C** into the frame, **~45 minutes** charge. - China pricing: from ~**$280**; color-changing version ~**$420**. Catch for Western buyers: assistant/app China-first, English hit-or-miss, no confirmed Western SKU. #### Alibaba Quark S1 - **Alibaba** display glasses running Alibaba’s **Qwen** (“Quen” in ASR) AI model. - Small **green** micro-display per eye + front camera; feature set: photo/video, translation, visual Q&A, meeting notes, navigation, notifications, plus China-only (**Alipay**, hail a taxi from the glasses via Alibaba ecosystem). - Differentiator: **swappable batteries in each temple** — pop off, hot-swap spare without powering down; host calls this nearly unique and potentially a game-changer for heavy users. - Framed as China-ahead ecosystem demo more than a Western-ready product. #### Quick booth notes - **Rokid** — same glasses previously seen at **CES**. - **INMO Go 3** — also uses swappable-battery idea; new control **ring** shown. - **Even Realities** — true AR / perception for **G2** / **T2** (already reviewed; accessories teased, no details). #### AREX ONE — AR dive-computer mask (favorite screen of the show) - Full **dive computer** built into a scuba mask (narration calls it “Irix 1”; description/Kickstarter branding **AREX ONE**). - HUD overlays: depth, dive time, gas, decompression status, compass — floating in view instead of on the wrist; can hide numbers for clear reef view and bring them back on demand. - Runs **Bühlmann ZH-L16C** (same decompression algorithm family as most wrist dive computers). - Display: small transparent **waveguide** with **microLED** behind it — glanceable number patch, not a full screen over the reef. - Tried on dry land at **ShowStoppers** (working prototype; not tested at depth). Open questions: HUD readability underwater, gimmick vs tool. - Kickstarter (**Sep 22**): **$1,499**; waitlist **founders $899** (~40% off); shipping **Q1 next year**. Host asks diving viewers whether they’d trust it. ### Sponsored segment — XGIMI Aura 3 Max / Aura 3 Pro - Paid integration (disclaimed). Couch-big-screen alternative to glasses. - **Aura 3 Max** flagship: **ultra-short throw** — ~**8 inches** from wall still throws ~**120-inch** image. - Specs called out: **RGB triple laser**, **5700 ISO lumens**, claimed **8000:1** native contrast via **dual iris** light control; gaming path **4K @ 120 Hz** over **HDMI 2.1** with **VRR**, **ALLM**, **Dolby Vision Gaming** (PS5 / gaming PC on a wall-sized canvas). - Booth demo looked smooth. **Aura 3** series Kickstarter **October 20**; **$50** preorders unlock extra **$200** off. Link: https://xgimi.technology/4qUNy5A ### Layer 2 — Things that move you #### Gek Tech hip exoskeleton (prototype) - Unexpected maker: **Gek Tech** (known for power banks; company claims ~**30M** units) — first non-charger product. - Gamer framing: not a mech that walks for you — a **stamina buff**. Hip motors read leg swing and push at the right moment so each step costs less. - ~**2.5 kg**; straps hips + thighs; up to **~35%** assist while walking. Use cases: hiking; long on-feet days (trade-show camera ops already wearing various exos under heavy rigs). Host wants to try one on a **VR treadmill**. - Battery = one of their own **power banks** (pull out to charge a phone). Stairs felt lighter/faster; occasional false lift while standing still (motion mis-detect) → “early access” prototype, **not on sale**, **no price**. #### Hypershell Halo - Host tried Hypershell’s earlier **hip** exo at **AWE**; similar feel to Gek Tech unit. - IFA announcement: **Halo** — adds **knee** motors (four motors total, ~**2.6 kg**). Hip unit helps swing the leg; Halo also helps push up and brake downhill; claim up to **~40% less knee fatigue** in squats. - **$2,299**, ships **November**. Host didn’t demo Halo yet — the one to watch if buying this year. Link: https://hypershell.tech/en-us/pages/hypershell-halo-exoskeleton/a #### HoverAir X Versa (and XPENG flying-car aside) - Starts as pocket **gimbal camera** (DJI Pocket comparison class); latch + clip-on **wings** → autonomous flyer (palm takeoff, follow, orbit — classic HoverAir tricks). - Wings-on ~**230 g**, ~**40 minutes** airtime. Framed as a camera you send up for a shot and catch again (battery short for “fun flying”). - Two **IFA Innovation Awards** including emerging tech. Pricing: ~**$449** early bird camera-only / ~**$630** with wings. - Caveat: **FCC** pulled certification in **August** and told them to stop US sales — currently more Europe/Asia. Link context via show coverage. - Also saw an **XPENG** flying car in the mobility hall (not flown). ### Layer 3 — Things that move for you (robots) #### Vbot SuperDog - Follow-and-carry robot dog: up to **12 kg** on its back (groceries, camera gear, school bag, light camping load). - Follow via **lidar + UWB** (no remote). Host walked it on a leash (follow-mode battery was nearly empty); design resists easy tipping. - Battery claim ~**5 hours** — fine for errands; open question what you do when it dies mid-day out. - Differentiator vs show-floor robodogs: **real product** — ~**13,000** sold; IFA distributor deals for **Germany, France, UK**. EU price still TBD at taping. https://www.vbot.tech/ #### Zeroth W1 and M1 - Brand pronunciation uncertain on mic (“Zero Bot / Zeroth”). **W1**: Wall-E-like aesthetic; rubber tracks (grass/gravel); carries **20 kg** / pulls **50 kg**; garden patrol; can charge a phone off its battery and take family photos — camping mule + photographer. Head/eyebrow tilt is mostly charm. Specs: **28 kg**, **68 cm** tall, **$7,999** — early-adopter pricing. - **M1**: preferred for indoors — **49 cm**, **20 degrees of freedom**, real arms, walk on two legs or roll on a base; pitched as home companion (kids/pets check-ins, talk, fall detection). Can’t yet do real chores/pickups; **$2,499**. - US caveat: **July** FCC added Chinese-made advanced robots to a **covered list** — unclear whether Zeroth can sell into the US. https://www.zeroth0.com #### Dreame Cyber X and Cyber 10 Ultra - **Dreame** (robot-vacuum brand) shows where home robots are going. - **Cyber X** (concept): tracked carrier a vacuum drives into; climbs stairs (steps up to **~25 cm**), drops vacuum on next floor (~**27 seconds**/flight). Cool, repeatedly shown, **no price/date**. - **Cyber 10 Ultra** (shipping path): vacuum with a **4-joint arm** (~**33 cm** reach) that picks up items under **~500 g** (socks, cables, VR headsets) so cleaning isn’t blocked — plus a small mop attachment for corners at IFA. Launching this year ~**€1,799**. ### Close — what comes next - Returns to the shorter-feeling stairs: IFA made the “future” show up in ordinary reality — underwater HUDs, dog backs, strapped to legs — much of it shipping from **China** first. - Convergence beat: products won’t stay separate. Example — humanoid robots often learn via a person in a **VR headset** teleoperating the task thousands of times until autonomy sticks; headset trains the robot, dog carries gear, exo gets you up the mountain. - Tease: met several **VR headset makers** in Berlin under NDA/paperwork — video coming. - CTA: which product would you buy; more broad future-tech coverage vs XR-only? Channel sign-off energy: “XR on.” ## Things mentioned ### Technology covered - **Smart / cinema glasses** — birdbath vs prism optics; Micro-OLED; on-device **3DoF** head tracking; **Dolby Vision** over glasses+puck; electrochromic lenses; per-eye micro-displays; swappable temple batteries; AI assistants (translation, visual Q&A, meeting notes, navigation) - **AR dive HUD** — transparent **waveguide** + **microLED**; dive-computer telemetry overlay; **Bühlmann ZH-L16C** decompression model - **Ultra-short-throw laser projection** — RGB triple laser; dual-iris contrast; HDMI 2.1 gaming feature set (VRR / ALLM / Dolby Vision Gaming) - **Hip / hip+knee exoskeletons** — gait-timed motor assist; power-bank power architecture - **Hybrid gimbal+drone camera** — pocket capture + clip-on flight wings; palm takeoff / follow / orbit - **Robot perception & mobility** — lidar + UWB follow; tracked vs bipedal/wheeled bases; stair-climbing vacuum carriers; manipulator arms on vacuums - **Regulatory friction** — FCC certification pulls / covered-list limits on some China-origin drones and advanced robots for US buyers ### Products / devices / specs | Product | Maker | Key specs / notes | Price / availability (as stated) | |---|---|---|---| | **RayNeo GT** | RayNeo | Cinema glasses; Micro-OLED 120 Hz; B&O speakers; on-device 3DoF; birdbath; 46° FOV; 68 g; one size; Dolby Vision w/ Pocket TV | **$329** | | **RayNeo GT Max** (compared) | RayNeo | Prism optics; 59° FOV; 78 g; 3 IPD sizes | **~$429** (GT is $100 less) | | **Xiaomi smart glasses** | Xiaomi | No display; 12 MP; 5 mics; ~40 g; electrochromic tint/color; ~8 h; USB-C ~45 min | ~**$280** / ~**$420** color (China) | | **Quark S1** | Alibaba | Display glasses; Qwen AI; green per-eye screens; camera; hot-swap temple batteries; Alipay/taxi | China ecosystem focus | | **INMO Go 3** | INMO | Swappable battery; new control ring | Booth mention | | **Even Realities G2 / T2** | Even Realities | True AR / perception; accessories teased | Prior review linked | | **Rokid glasses** | Rokid | Same as prior CES showing | Booth mention | | **AREX ONE** (dive mask) | AREX | Dive computer in mask; waveguide+microLED HUD; Bühlmann ZH-L16C; prototype | KS **$1,499** / founders **$899**; ship Q1 next year | | **XGIMI Aura 3 Max** | XGIMI | UST ~8 in → 120 in; RGB triple laser; 5700 ISO lm; claimed 8000:1; 4K 120 Hz HDMI 2.1 VRR/ALLM/DV Gaming | KS **Oct 20**; $50 preorder → +$200 off | | **XGIMI Aura 3 Pro** | XGIMI | Shown alongside Max | Same Aura 3 window | | **Gek Tech exo** | Gek Tech | Hip exo; ~2.5 kg; ≤~35% assist; power-bank battery | Prototype; not for sale | | **Hypershell Halo** | Hypershell | Hip+knee; 4 motors; ~2.6 kg; claim ~40% less knee fatigue | **$2,299**; ships **November** | | **HoverAir X Versa** | HoverAir | Gimbal cam + clip-on wings; ~230 g; ~40 min; 2× IFA Innovation Awards | ~**$449** / ~**$630** w/ wings; **US FCC hold** | | **XPENG flying car** | XPENG | Mobility-hall cameo | Not demoed | | **Vbot SuperDog** | Vbot | Follow dog; lidar+UWB; 12 kg carry; ~5 h; ~13k sold | EU price TBD; DE/FR/UK distributors | | **Zeroth W1** | Zeroth | Tracked mule; 20 kg carry / 50 kg pull; 28 kg; 68 cm | **$7,999** | | **Zeroth M1** | Zeroth | 49 cm; 20 DoF; arms; biped or wheeled | **$2,499**; US FCC caveat | | **Dreame Cyber X** | Dreame | Stair carrier for vacuum; ≤25 cm steps; ~27 s/flight | Concept; no price/date | | **Dreame Cyber 10 Ultra** | Dreame | Vacuum + 4-joint arm (~33 cm, ≤500 g); corner mop | ~**€1,799**; launching this year | ### Product announcements / show context - **IFA Berlin 2026** — Cas & Chary’s first IFA; Xiaomi mega-booth narrative; IFA Innovation Awards (HoverAir) - **RayNeo** three-SKU launch window; **Hypershell Halo** next-gen exo announce; **Aura 3** Kickstarter date; **AREX ONE** Kickstarter live; Dreame Cyber 10 Ultra year-of launch - Teased **unannounced VR headset** meetings in Berlin (NDA) — future video ### Purchase options / prices / buy links (as given) - **XGIMI Aura 3 Max** → https://xgimi.technology/4qUNy5A (sponsor; $50 preorder unlocks $200 off; KS Oct 20) - **AREX ONE** Kickstarter → https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arex/arex-ar-dive-computer-mask-and-marine-life-identification ($1,499 / founders $899) - **Hypershell Halo** → https://hypershell.tech/en-us/pages/hypershell-halo-exoskeleton/a ($2,299) - **Vbot SuperDog** → https://www.vbot.tech/ - **Zeroth W1 / M1** → https://www.zeroth0.com ($7,999 / $2,499) - Prior channel reviews linked: RayNeo iO https://youtu.be/lIcqqPvLyTI ; RayNeo GT Max https://youtu.be/xlIP5CcJKFk ; Even Realities G2 https://youtu.be/zh7-AGz7yZU - Channel support: Meta Quest 3 https://bit.ly/quest3cnc ; Quest games code **CNC** (10% off); gear/discount hub https://casandchary.com/gear ; https://casandchary.com/discount-codes-affiliate-links/ ### People / companies / apps / platforms - Hosts **Casandra Vuong (Cas)** and **Chary Keijzer**; channel **Cas and Chary XR** - Companies: **RayNeo**, **XREAL** (optics comparison), **Xiaomi**, **Samsung** (hall context), **Alibaba**, **Rokid**, **INMO**, **Even Realities**, **AREX**, **XGIMI**, **Gek Tech**, **Hypershell**, **HoverAir**, **DJI** (comparison class), **XPENG**, **Vbot**, **Zeroth**, **Dreame**, **Meta** (Ray-Ban Meta / Quest framing), **Bang & Olufsen**, **FCC** - AI / services: **Qwen** (Alibaba), **Alipay**, taxi hail via Alibaba stack - Events: **IFA Berlin 2026**, **ShowStoppers**, **CES**, **AWE** - Media aside: *Cyberpunk* joke; **Wall-E** visual analogy for Zeroth W1 - Named comparison: **Camilo**’s electrochromic glasses (prior reference) ## Biographies ### Casandra Vuong (Cas) Co-founder and on-camera host of **Cas and Chary XR** (formerly Cas and Chary VR). Dutch creator with a software background (public bios note prior Java backend work); in this episode she fronts the IFA walkthrough — stairs-with-exo cold open, three-layer structure, hands-on takes on RayNeo GT / Xiaomi / Alibaba Quark S1 / AREX dive mask, Gek Tech & Hypershell exos, HoverAir X Versa, Vbot SuperDog, Zeroth bots, and Dreame robots — and asks whether the audience wants broader future-tech coverage beyond XR. ### Chary Keijzer Co-founder of **Cas and Chary XR**; creative/production partner who joined Cas on the first IFA Berlin trip. Less featured as the speaking host in this cut but present as the other half of the “we” throughout booth coverage; public speaker credits at AWE alongside Cas. ### Cas and Chary XR (channel) Netherlands-based XR media channel (~since 2016/2017) focused on VR/AR hardware, games, and industry explainers — tagline energy “XR on.” This episode deliberately stretches the brief into exoskeletons, home robots, dive HUDs, and projectors while keeping glasses coverage, and teases upcoming headset news from Berlin meetings. ### RayNeo Consumer XR glasses brand launching cinema (GT / GT Max) and other SKUs at IFA; pushing on-device 3DoF, B&O audio, and Dolby Vision via Pocket TV. Host already covers iO and GT Max in prior videos. ### Xiaomi Mega-electronics company using IFA to showcase a broad portfolio; the no-display electrochromic smart glasses are a small but distinctive slice of a ~380-product booth story aimed first at China. ### Alibaba (Quark S1 / Qwen) Shows how a full China super-app ecosystem (pay, taxi, AI) can live in display glasses, with hot-swap temple batteries as the hardware surprise. ### AREX (AREX ONE) Maker of the AR dive-computer mask that integrates a real decompression algorithm into a waveguide HUD; Kickstarter-stage hardware Cas flags as the show’s favorite screen despite dry-land-only testing. ### XGIMI Projector sponsor for the mid-roll; Aura 3 Max pitched as living-room UST laser alternative when you want a huge screen without glasses. ### Gek Tech Power-bank giant testing its first wearable assist product — a prototype hip exo that made IFA stairs feel shorter. ### Hypershell Exoskeleton company further along commercially; Halo (hip+knee, $2,299, November) is the buyable near-term pick versus Gek Tech’s prototype. ### HoverAir Pocket camera/drone hybrid brand; X Versa won IFA innovation recognition but faces US FCC certification trouble. ### Vbot Ships the SuperDog follow-and-carry robot in meaningful volume (~13k) and is signing European distributors at IFA. ### Zeroth Shows expressive home/outdoor robots (W1 mule, M1 companion) at premium early-adopter prices, with US regulatory uncertainty for China-made advanced robots. ### Dreame Robot-vacuum brand extending into stair-climbing carriers (Cyber X concept) and arm-equipped vacuums (Cyber 10 Ultra) that clear obstacles — including stray VR headsets — before cleaning.