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xMEMS unveils super tiny cooling fan that fits inside smart glasses
xMEMS Labs has unveiled the XMC-1200, described as the world's smallest active micro fan, designed to fit inside the temple arm of smart glasses as well as AR and XR headsets. Improved cooling could help future glasses sustain higher processor performance, record longer video and stay more comfortable to wear, which matters as manufacturers push for more demanding on-device AI features in increasingly lightweight designs.
Built on xMEMS' µCooling platform, the fan measures just 46mm², allowing it to squeeze into tight spaces, and works alongside the company's Astra2 drive ASIC while drawing only 70mW of power. It can lower temperatures by up to 10°C under a 1W thermal load. xMEMS, previously known for its speaker-on-a-chip technology used in earbuds, already showed a 1mm fan-on-a-chip in August 2024. Engineering samples of the XMC-1200 are available to manufacturers now, with production readiness targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027, meaning glasses featuring the fan likely wouldn't appear until 2028.
In short
- xMEMS reveals tiny XMC-1200 cooling fan for smart glasses
- Fan is 46mm², uses 70mW, cuts temperature by up to 10°C
- Production expected Q4 2027, glasses likely arriving in 2028
Explained simply
Smart glasses and augmented reality headsets are becoming more powerful, but channelling all that computing power into such compact devices creates a heat management problem. xMEMS Labs has developed a cooling fan so small it can fit inside the temple arm of these glasses, potentially allowing manufacturers to make them faster and more capable without overheating or discomfort.
Heat is a particular challenge in glasses-based devices because their cramped interiors leave almost no space for conventional cooling systems, yet users expect advanced features like on-device artificial intelligence to run smoothly. A solution that draws minimal power and can substantially lower temperatures inside the device could enable manufacturers to pursue more ambitious designs without making the glasses bulkier or uncomfortable.
xMEMS is a company previously known for developing miniaturised speaker technology for earbuds, so it has a track record of squeezing sophisticated electronics into impossibly small spaces. The company's fan technology will take several years to reach consumers, with widespread availability in actual glasses products not expected until 2028 or later.