A new era of wearable computing
In 1997, a bulky cellular phone was a status symbol, and only the headmaster at my school had one.
HE would excuse himself to answer it with his right hand, while keeping the left one in his pocket. Fast forward to 2023, and gadgets have become smaller and smaller. Humane AI, a startup founded by a former Apple employee, has even made a screenless AI Pin.
The Humane AI Pin is a wearable device that connects to your smartphone and lets you interact with your digital assistant using voice, gestures and haptics.
This evolution in wearable technology is remarkable. We have come a long way from bulky phones to screenless AI Pins.
Wearable technology is any electronic device that is worn on the body. This can include smartwatches, smart glasses and fitness trackers.
Wearable technology is becoming increasingly popular as it allows users to access information and perform tasks without using their hands.
It is exciting to see what the future holds for wearable technology and how it will continue to change the way we live and work.
At the Paris Fashion Week last month, supermodel Naomi Campbell walked down the runway wearing a screenless AI Pin that turned heads.
The Pin — created by Humane, in collaboration with French luxury brand Copern — is a standalone device and software platform that projects phone-like interfaces and information onto surfaces and can even speak to the user. It is a groundbreaking example of how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming wearable technology.
The AI Pin uses various sensors that enable natural and intuitive interactions. The device has been designed to blend seamlessly into the everyday lives of its users.
According to the makers, AI Pin respects privacy and has no wake word or “always on” listening features.
What makes the device more fascinating is that it does not require to be paired with a smartphone or any other gadget.
It has an AI-powered optical recognition feature and a display that is projected via laser. An advanced Snapdragon platform powers the AI Pin.
The device resembles a small chip, and the mini projector serves as the screen and has an AI optical recognition feature and a laser-projected display.
The pocket-sized wearable is meant to be fixed onto clothing and act as an AI assistant.
In an exclusive TED Talk, Humane co-founder Imran Chaudhri and a former Apple designer envision a future where AI-enabled devices disappear into our lives.
He gives a sneak peek of this new product, the Humane AI Pin, and explains how it could revolutionise how we interact with technology and the world around us.
The Humane AI Pin, the first device designed specifically to harness AI for the post-smartphone era of mobile computing, will have its full functionalities revealed on November 9, 2023.
We already know that the device can handle phone calls, answer questions, translate sentences into different languages, and summarise recent emails, calendar events and messages.
The Humane AI Pin also focuses on wellness and mental health. It uses sophisticated algorithms to detect stress, fatigue or anxiety in the user’s voice and body language. Once detected, the AI Pin can provide suggestions, mindfulness exercises and prompts to take a break.
In addition, the AI Pin can provide dietary recommendations based on individual health profiles.
There is no doubt that Humane AI Pin has the potential to be a very useful tool. However, like all emerging technologies, there are also some ethical considerations to keep in mind.
For example, it is important to ensure that the AI Pin is used to respect users’ privacy and not discriminate against certain groups of people.
It is also important to consider the potential for the AI Pin to be used for malicious purposes. For example, the AI Pin could be used to track people’s movements or to spread misinformation.
Humane is committed to building AI products that are aligned with human values. However, it is important to be aware of the potential ethical implications of the AI Pin before it is widely adopted.
Are you already thinking of getting one for yourself? Hold on a moment, the price of this gadget has not been revealed yet, and it is expected to be officially launched this November.
◆ John Tseriwa is a tech entrepreneur and a digital transformation advocate focusing on delivering business solutions powered by Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. He can be contacted at: info@johntseriwa.com or +263773289802.