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Insta360 GO Ultra Gets AI Voice Assistant with Qwen and Gemini

Insta360 is taking its tiny GO Ultra thumb camera to the next level with a built-in AI voice assistant, set to launch on August 7. The feature will lean on different large language models depending on where you are: Alibaba's Qwen handles the heavy lifting in mainland China, while Google's Gemini takes over in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and other overseas markets. Translation results can be spoken aloud right through the device's speaker, making it a handy travel companion.

The AI assistant is built on Insta360's own technology, combining Qwen's multimodal capabilities with the photo Q&A function from the Qwen app. It uses a terminal-cloud collaborative architecture: the device itself handles tasks like voiceprint recognition and intent judgment, while the cloud takes care of more complex jobs like intelligent Q&A, mode switching, and translation.

To wake the assistant, you can say "Hey Kira" or long-press the capture button when the camera is off. Once active, it supports three main functions: face-to-face translation, photo-based Q&A, and voice Q&A. Face-to-face translation is perfect for everyday situations like asking for directions, ordering food, or shopping. Photo-based Q&A, after you grant permission, can identify things in the lens—road signs, buildings, dishes—and offer analysis.

Insta360 founder Liu Jingkang is optimistic about the feature, suggesting it might "redefine the thumb camera." This move also highlights how AI large models are accelerating into consumer hardware, turning smart cameras from simple shooting tools into AI terminals that can understand and interact with the world around them.

Key Points

  • Launch Date: August 7
  • Regional AI Models: Qwen in mainland China, Gemini in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas
  • Activation Methods: Voice command "Hey Kira" or long-press capture button
  • Core Features: Face-to-face translation, photo-based Q&A, voice Q&A
  • Architecture: Terminal-cloud collaborative, with on-device voiceprint recognition and cloud-based complex processing
  • Founder's Vision: Could redefine thumb cameras, signaling AI's entry into consumer hardware