Asia Tech Wire (Apr 26) -- Chinese smartphone maker OPPO is pausing XR exploration to move to AI devices and robotics, according to Chinese media outlet 36Kr.

Friday's report said that OPPO's restructuring will affect more than a hundred employees, but there will be no mass layoffs, rather job transfers.

OPPO's XR exploration falls into two main product directions, mixed reality (MR) and augmented reality (AR), with the business as a whole under the OPPO Research Institute.

The media outlet learned that the XR exploration, which OPPO has been continuing for five years, has been on hold for several months.

Multiple sources said that the relevant personnel will turn internally to carry out AI exploration afterward, directing possibly to AI devices or robotics.

However, OPPO also retains a few personnel to continue the pre-research in the direction of AR.

In response to the report, the company said that the OPPO Research Institute will also focus on the exploration of cutting-edge technology breakthroughs and new opportunities such as AI, AR, 5G/6G, etc., and will continue to conduct pre-research on AR.

Meanwhile, OPPO believes that AI is a strategic technology to lead the future, saying that "the OPPO Research Institute will increase the exploration of cutting-edge technologies, including AI hardware and software innovation."