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Japan’s TDK Acquires U.S. Smart Glasses Company SoftEye

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Japanese electronics manufacturer TDK announced on Thursday it has acquired SoftEye, a U.S.-based company specializing in software and hardware for smart glasses. This acquisition supports TDK’s strategy to find new growth drivers linked to artificial intelligence (AI).

SoftEye, headquartered in San Diego, California, develops eye-tracking and object recognition technologies. Its founder and CEO, Te-Won Lee, has previously held executive roles at Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm.

According to a source familiar with the deal, the acquisition is valued at under $100 million.

Tech companies are increasingly investing in hardware beyond smartphones, with smart glasses gaining attention. Facebook owner Meta and others are focusing on AI-powered smart glasses to enhance user interaction with their environment. Social media company Snap plans to launch consumer smart glasses next year, and Alphabet’s Google recently showcased smart glasses at its developer conference. Chipmaker Qualcomm also unveiled a smart glasses processor this month.

TDK, once famous for its cassette tapes, now plays a key role in electronics by supplying components and batteries for smart glasses.

TDK Prepares Slim Batteries Tailored for AI-Powered iPhones

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TDK is gearing up to launch a new generation of batteries designed to support smartphones handling AI-related tasks, just as major client Apple prepares to release a slimmer iPhone model. The Tokyo-based company plans to begin shipping its third generation of silicon-anode batteries by the end of June, ahead of its initially planned September timeline. This early shipment could allow smartphone manufacturers to incorporate these advanced batteries into thinner devices set to launch later this year.

The company’s CEO, Noboru Saito, expressed optimism about the progress and timing, suggesting that some handset makers might adopt the new battery technology sooner than expected. TDK’s innovation focuses on replacing the conventional graphite anode with silicon, which allows the batteries to store 15% more energy within the same physical space. This advancement supports the trend of creating slimmer devices without compromising battery life, a critical factor as AI features increasingly demand more power.

Recent smartphone releases reflect this shift toward thinner designs enabled by better battery technology. For instance, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S25 Edge, which is notably slimmer than its predecessor, the S25 Ultra, while offering enhanced AI-driven camera features. Similarly, Apple is anticipated to introduce the iPhone 17 Air, showcasing a fresh industrial design that emphasizes reduced thickness and may set the stage for future slim devices from the company.

Both Apple and Samsung are significant customers for TDK, accounting for roughly 10% each of the company’s total revenue. While TDK has not revealed the pricing or specific clients for the new batteries, CEO Saito mentioned that the company is willing to supply this technology to any customer who recognizes its benefits. This move could further accelerate the adoption of silicon-anode batteries across the smartphone industry, particularly as AI capabilities become more integral to mobile devices.

Japan’s TDK Accelerates Launch of Next-Gen Silicon Anode Batteries Amid Strong Smartphone Demand

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TDK Corp, a leading Japanese electronics components manufacturer and key Apple supplier, is fast-tracking the rollout of its next-generation silicon anode batteries, CEO Noboru Saito told Reuters. Originally scheduled for summer, shipments of the third-generation high-energy batteries will begin “very soon.”

The move comes amid surging interest from smartphone makers, as silicon anode batteries promise higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion technologies—allowing for longer battery life and thinner designs.

Key Highlights:

  • Silicon anode batteries, while still a small part of TDK’s portfolio, represent a strategic focus as smartphone OEMs seek energy efficiency gains.

  • TDK plans to launch its fourth-generation battery “sometime next year.”

  • More than half of TDK’s capital investment over the next three years will go toward its energy segment, which includes battery R&D and production.

Broader Strategic Outlook:

Founded in 1935, TDK has transformed from a household name in cassette tapes to a critical supplier of batteries, sensors, and capacitors for the global tech industry. As demand for smartphones, wearables, and IoT devices accelerates, TDK is positioning its advanced battery tech as a growth engine.

CEO Saito, who has led the company since 2022, also flagged geopolitical risk, particularly from the U.S.–China trade tensions under President Donald Trump’s administration. TDK’s latest forecast included both base and risk-adjusted scenarios to reflect uncertainty in U.S. electronics demand.

“I remain concerned,” Saito said, referring to potential impacts on the U.S. smartphone market, a key revenue source for TDK and its clients.

Despite these external pressures, TDK’s acceleration of cutting-edge battery technology underscores its commitment to staying ahead in energy innovation and meeting OEM demand for more compact, powerful power solutions.