In a recent interview with CNBC, Imran Chaudhary and Bethany Bongiorno, the dynamic duo behind startup Humane, said the defining factor that sets them apart from giants like Apple is that they “don’t do apps.” He revealed that it was.
“Fundamentally, we believe that AI will drive the next era of technology. To unlock its full potential, we had to rethink everything from the ground up. “It’s not like we’re doing it right,” said Bongiorno, himself a former Apple designer.
She suggested that an AI-first approach would eliminate the need for traditional apps. “Having to know about an app, download it, and log into your device is a burden. With AI, all of that disappears. The way the platform disappears is through a device called Cosmos. The heavy lifting is done. “We do it. All you have to do is ask, and we’ll find it for you,” she added.
The Humane AI Pin is a small wearable device that attaches to your shirt, eliminating the standard screen and instead projecting information directly into your hand. Understand natural language, gestures, and touch input. Despite its small size, it can handle a wide range of tasks comparable to a smartphone, and its context awareness improves the experience.
When asked if having a piece of technology on your chest 24/7 raises privacy concerns, Chaudhary emphasized the privacy-first engineering of the Pin. “Privacy comes first. We’re not recording all the time, we’re running on demand,” he clarified.
Humane AI Pin is more than just a screenless concept. It is primarily controlled by voice, but also responds to hand movements. Chaudhary demonstrated these features and introduced a nifty laser projection system. The device employs multiple input methods, providing flexibility in how users engage.
Addressing concerns about not receiving notifications without a screen, Bongiorno highlighted the built-in speaker and notification LED. LED alerts users to messages while maintaining privacy.
“We have a personal speaker that creates your own private little bubble of sound. If you want to play music, you can turn it up and make it louder, but you can’t have your own private music. You can enjoy it.”
When asked if the always-on nature of the Pin might make it vulnerable to non-consensual recording, they highlighted the “trust light” that indicates microphone/camera operation. This is intended to provide transparency that your interactions are not secretly captured.
“We believe it should be more transparent than the devices currently in use,” Chaudhary explained. “Excessive tampering will cause the device to stop working and require repair.”
In response to comparisons with existing smartwatches, Chaudhary highlighted the Humane AI Pin’s unique selling point: its AI-driven features. He emphasized that the device’s AI OS differentiates it from competitors, streamlining user interaction and minimizing the need for traditional apps.
Asked about AI Pin’s profitability, Chaudhary reiterated that its price is $699, with a higher-end version priced at $799. He also said the profit margins are reasonable: “We work very hard to make sure we’re profitable, and the profit margins are pretty good on both the software side and the hardware side.”
Regarding AI, Chaudhary revealed that Humane has its own model and is flexible for future developments. He said: “Our platform allows you to plug in any model. Ultimately, it gives you choice and allows you to deploy to different markets.”
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Date first published: December 19, 2023 14:35 IST