Humane, the AI startup founded by former OpenAI CTO Dario Amodei and Anthropic co-founder Daniela Amodei, has announced that its much-anticipated AI wearable device called the AI Pin will start shipping to customers in March 2023.
Background
The AI Pin was first teased over a year ago in November 2021. Billed as the “world’s first wearable AI computer”, it aims to serve as an always-on personalized AI assistant that helps users with tasks throughout their day.
The credit card-sized device can be worn on a lanyard or clipped to clothing. It features a laser-etched holographic display powered by a custom AI assistant similar to chatbots like ChatGPT.
Key AI Pin Specs:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | 85.6 x 54 x 6.9 mm |
| Weight | 15 grams |
| Display | Monochrome holographic display by Red Luxury |
| Battery Life | All-day battery |
| Charging | Qi wireless charging |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Bluetooth |
| OS | Proprietary OS by Humane |
| Processor | Custom AI accelerator chip |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 64GB UFS 3.1 |
| AI Assistant | Based on Anthropic’s Constitutional AI |
| Price | $699 upfront, $99 per month after 2 years |
Humane CEO Imran Chaudhri said:
“We see a future where AI fits seamlessly into your life and enhances your capabilities. The AI Pin allows you to access AI anywhere which frees your mind to engage more with the physical world around you.”
What We Know About the AI Pin’s Capabilities
Humane has kept full details of the AI Pin’s functionality under wraps. However, it is known to handle a variety of tasks using voice commands and touch input:
- Conversational AI – The main interface is a chatbot that can understand requests and hold natural conversations.
- Information lookup – Lookup facts, definitions, translations, math problems.
- Productivity – Schedule meetings, set reminders, manage tasks.
- Search – Web and local device search.
- Language translation – Real-time translation for over 20 languages.
- Image recognition – Identify objects, scenes, text in images.
This wide range of intelligent features is powered by an AI assistant designed to be helpful, harmless, and honest – principles that Anthropic prides itself on with its Constitutional AI approach.
Humane promises the AI Pin will get smarter and more personalized as you use it more. All processing happens on-device to preserve privacy.
March Shipping Plans
Humane opened up pre-orders last year for $299 which comes with 2 years of AI Pin service included. Additional subscriptions will be $99 per month after that.
The startup says it has been “overwhelmed by the positive response” as pre-orders continue to roll in. Production is now being ramped up for shipping in March.
Deliveries will happen on a first-come, first-served basis as manufacturing scales up. Humane also says it will be releasing a waitlist for additional pre-orders soon.
What This Means for the Wearables Market
The AI Pin launches into an already crowded market of smartwatches and fitness trackers. However, its positioning as the first voice-enabled wearable AI computer gives it a unique angle.
If the AI assistant delivers on its promises, it could herald a new paradigm in on-body computing – less about health stats and notifications, more about having an AI helper always within reach.
With Anthropic and OpenAI DNA running through its veins, Humane has set their ambitions sky-high, openly targeting the smartphone space.
Indeed, Humane CEO Chaudhri earlier headed design at Apple so he knows a thing or two about creating category-defining mobile devices.
Whether the AI Pin succeeds as a smartphone replacement remains to be seen. Much will depend on the assistant’s capabilities holding up during real-world testing.
But by getting the hardware out soon, Humane has given itself the platform to keep enhancing its AI over time. We may be witnessing the birth of a new form factor – the AI wearable.
The Road Ahead
The next few weeks will prove decisive for Humane as they ramp up manufacturing and battle supply chain issues to meet their March deadline.
Once the first wave of devices ship, we’ll get concrete details on what the AI Pin can and can’t do. Reviewers will put its helper AI through its paces in everyday scenarios.
This feedback will be crucial for Humane to improve features and squash bugs. Software updates to expand functionality will come thick and fast.
By starting small but thinking big, Humane joins a wave of AI startups racing to productize AI. Their vision of an ever-present AI assistant could revolutionize personal computing.
Or it could remain an intriguing curiosity. Either way, the AI Pin’s launch in March marks a milestone for wearable tech. We’re about to find out if we have a breakthrough on our hands.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
