ByteDance's PICO Names New Leader, Strategy Unchanged
ByteDance's extended reality (XR) unit, PICO, has appointed Li Xiaokai as its new head, replacing founder Zhou Hongwei who is stepping down for personal reasons. The company affirmed its long-term commitment to XR.
PICO, ByteDance's extended reality (XR) business unit, has undergone a leadership transition with founder Zhou Hongwei stepping down from his role as head. Li Xiaokai has been appointed to lead PICO's operations moving forward.
The change comes as Zhou Hongwei departs for personal reasons. ByteDance has stated that this leadership adjustment will not affect PICO's established strategic direction, research and development efforts, or product roadmap. The company plans to release a new mixed reality (MR) product as scheduled this year.
Internal sources at ByteDance indicate that the company's assessment of XR's long-term value remains unchanged. It will continue to provide support for PICO's advancements in core technology exploration and product innovation. This continuity is seen as crucial for PICO's competitive position in the evolving XR market.
PICO has previously previewed its upcoming flagship XR product, internally codenamed Project Swan. The device, expected to launch globally this year, is anticipated to feature advanced specifications including a new generation MicroOLED display and sophisticated optical technology.