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.