In a major boost to India’s deep-tech and manufacturing ecosystem, QWR Interactive Solutions and Kaynes Technology India have announced a strategic partnership to establish the country’s first integrated hub for waveguide and extended reality (XR) device manufacturing. The initiative is expected to cut import dependence by nearly 50% and create over 1,000 skilled jobs by 2027, positioning India as a competitive global hub for AR/VR hardware.
The partnership combines QWR’s deep expertise in XR design and AI wearables with Kaynes’ proven manufacturing capabilities in electronics and optics. Together, the two companies will focus on building AR/VR headsets, smart glasses, and AI-powered devices, catering to sectors including defence, education, industrial training, and retail.
“This collaboration gives India full-stack ownership of the XR value chain — from design and waveguides to device manufacturing,” said Suraj Aiar, Founder and CEO of QWR. “We’re creating a foundation for scalable, world-class XR hardware that meets global standards while being proudly made in India.”
Building the Infrastructure for India’s XR Revolution
The new manufacturing hub, located near Mysore, will feature state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities for waveguide fabrication — the optical component that powers next-generation XR headsets. QWR has already invested in infrastructure that meets stringent global cleanroom standards, ensuring precision manufacturing for advanced optics.
In parallel, QWR’s Pune-based team is setting up an Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) unit to handle device calibration and finishing. The company plans to increase localisation levels from 25% to 80–85% within the next 16 months through technology transfer and process automation.
Kaynes Technology, one of India’s leading EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services) firms, will scale up production using surface-mount technology (SMT) and optical calibration lines to ensure high-volume, high-precision manufacturing.
“Together, we will build the only end-to-end XR manufacturing ecosystem outside China,” said Himanshu Verma, Head of AI/XR Business at Kaynes Technology. “This collaboration not only brings global-grade hardware to India but also creates a new generation of engineers and technicians skilled in immersive technologies.”
Driving ‘Make in India’ and Deep-Tech Innovation
The QWR–Kaynes partnership aligns closely with the Government of India’s Make in India and Digital India missions, emphasising self-reliance and indigenous innovation in frontier technologies. By enabling large-scale XR hardware production, the collaboration aims to strengthen India’s position in global exports while driving R&D partnerships across academia and industry.
QWR’s upcoming HUMBL XR glasses, now entering mass production, will be among the first products developed under this initiative. The companies also plan to co-develop next-generation XR components — including sensors, holographic displays, and AI-driven optics — to cater to both domestic and global markets.
“With the global AR/VR market projected to exceed $150 billion by 2030, this collaboration puts India firmly on the world map of immersive technology innovation,” said Aiar.
Empowering India’s Next Tech Workforce
Beyond technology and production, the hub will serve as a centre for XR skill development, equipping engineers and technicians with hands-on training in optics, electronics, and calibration technologies. The partners aim to work with universities and skilling institutions to expand India’s deep-tech workforce.
By combining innovation, manufacturing excellence, and local talent, the QWR–Kaynes alliance marks a critical milestone in India’s journey toward technological self-reliance in the next wave of human–machine interaction.
