THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 10, 2026

Imagine paying at a shop by simply looking at a QR code and issuing a voice command, without taking a smartphone out of your pocket. Reliance Jio has showcased this futuristic possibility with its AI-powered smart glasses at the India Mobile Congress 2026, signalling a new push to bring artificial intelligence into everyday life through wearable technology.

The company unveiled a range of personal AI wearables, including camera glasses, audio glasses and earphones, featuring voice-assisted UPI payments, multilingual support, live translation, AI-powered note-taking and live cricket commentary.

The standout feature is Scan & Pay, which allows users to scan a UPI QR code through the camera glasses and initiate a payment using a voice command. Once the transaction is confirmed, the payment is processed, offering a hands-free alternative to conventional smartphone-based payments.

With UPI Circle, payments of up to Rs 5,000 per transaction are permitted under the applicable framework, with a monthly limit of Rs 15,000. These limits are prescribed under UPI Circle rules and are not specific to Jio.

The development reflects the growing effort by technology companies to move artificial intelligence beyond smartphones and computers, making digital services accessible through voice commands and wearable devices. By reducing the steps involved in routine activities, Jio is positioning AI as a practical tool for everyday transactions rather than merely a digital assistant for answering queries.

Another key feature is live translation, designed to help people speaking different Indian languages communicate more easily. Users can speak in their preferred language while the wearable technology assists in translating conversations, potentially improving communication across linguistic barriers.

The glasses also feature AI-powered note-taking aimed at capturing important points during meetings and other discussions. For cricket enthusiasts, live commentary is designed to help them follow matches while travelling or attending to other activities, reducing the need to repeatedly check their phones for updates.

Jio said its AI wearables are designed to enhance productivity, widen access to knowledge and simplify everyday tasks through intelligent, voice-based interactions. Support for multiple Indian languages is a central element of the approach, with the company seeking to make AI services more accessible to users across the country.

While smart glasses have been available in the technology market for some time, the integration of digital payments, Indian-language capabilities, real-time translation and entertainment features highlights an attempt to adapt wearable technology to local consumer needs.

The showcase at India Mobile Congress 2026 underscores the potential of AI-powered wearables to become an additional interface for digital services, particularly in a country where UPI payments have become a widely used mode of everyday transactions.

Jio's latest showcase points to a future in which accessing digital services could increasingly involve speaking a command or looking at an object, rather than reaching for a screen.