In December of last year, the news of Xiaomi Group's Vice President Ma Ji's departure sparked mixed emotions among Xiaomi fans, who were reluctant to see the 10-year veteran go. Meanwhile, netizens were eager to know his next move – would he join a competitor or embark on an entrepreneurial journey of his own?

Recently, the media outlet "Career Animals" shed some light on the matter: this retired Xiaomi executive, who has been out of the limelight for half a year, is now poised to launch a new venture named LumaQ.

While the specific product details remain shrouded in mystery, indications suggest that LumaQ might be targeting the camera industry, particularly as Ma Ji is currently seeking funding for AI-powered mirrorless cameras.

Image source: Internet

It's worth noting that in 2016, Xiaomi Mall introduced the Yi mirrorless camera M1, a product of Xiaomi's ecosystem partner Yi Technology, which was hailed as "the first smart mirrorless camera for young people." The camera's design was somewhat "milky," featuring a "yi" logo in the top right corner reminiscent of Leica's red dot, but the body was sleek and minimalistic, with only a playback button and a multifunction button on the screen's right side, relying heavily on the touchscreen for settings.

In terms of hardware, the Yi M1 sported a Sony IMX269 sensor with M4/3 specifications and weighed approximately 280 grams. For a price tag of just over 2,000 yuan, it offered a commendable configuration at the time. However, the product line was abruptly discontinued for reasons unknown.

Despite the Yi mirrorless camera's demise, Xiaomi fans' clamor for Xiaomi cameras has persisted. Especially after Xiaomi ventured into the automotive industry, many netizens have expressed their wish for Lei Jun to delve into the camera industry and challenge the dominance of Japanese manufacturers.

With this former Xiaomi vice president's new venture on the horizon, can we anticipate a Xiaomi camera in our lifetime? Only time will tell.