In a significant leap for wearable technology, a new player, dubbed the AI Pin, is entering the market with an ambitious promise to redefine our interaction with smart devices. Stripping away the traditional screen, the AI Pin presents a square-shaped, voice-controlled device that brings the power of artificial intelligence to the user’s lapel.
The AI pin unveiled
The AI Pin’s reveal resonates with the vision of a future unchained from the grips of screen-based smartphones. Developed by Humane, a company founded by ex-Apple designers Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, the device stands as a testament to the potential of AI in everyday life. This two-inch wearable device is a tech gadget and a new foray into the seamless integration of life and technology.
Shipping with two battery boosters, the AI Pin guarantees longevity and uninterrupted usage, akin to the reliability one expects from premium smart devices. At a price tag of $699, the package includes the device, a charger, and battery additions, with a $24 monthly subscription covering a phone number, data services, cloud storage, and unlimited AI interactions.
Innovation at the core
A stronghold of innovation, the AI Pin operates on OpenAI’s GPT-4, enabling it to perform various tasks, from translation to music streaming, handling emails, and creating personalized messages. With nearly half its team being former Apple employees, Humane’s product blends top-tier design and cutting-edge functionality.
It’s not just the inside that counts, though. The device’s exterior features a camera and motion sensors, allowing it to recognize and adapt to the user’s environment, offering tailored assistance and information. For example, in a demonstration, when presented with a Milky Bar, the AI Pin warned the user against consuming it due to their intolerance, showcasing the device’s potential for personalized health advice.
Privacy and control
Privacy concerns are paramount in the era of always-listening devices. Humane addresses these by ensuring the AI Pin remains dormant until manually activated by the user. This approach sets it apart from devices like Alexa, which remain in a perpetual state of passive listening for a wake word. An added feature, the “Trust Light,” indicates when the device is recording or active, giving users transparency and control over their privacy.
The device’s interaction capabilities include projecting information with a green laser on the user’s hand, displaying simple icons and necessary information for tasks like receiving calls, and further bridging the gap between physical and digital interaction without needing a screen.
A step into the fashion world
The AI Pin’s market introduction was nothing short of a statement, making its first public appearance at the Coperni fashion show in Paris. With supermodel Naomi Campbell sporting the device on the runway, the product was positioned as a statement piece, as much a fashion accessory as a technological innovation.
Humane’s strategy to market the AI Pin as a luxury product is clear, with the high-end pricing reflecting the device’s positioning as a premium, cutting-edge tech accessory. Such marketing moves reinforce the idea that wearable technology is not just a matter of convenience but also an expression of personal style and identity.
