Humane, a secretive tech startup founded by former Apple veterans, recently unveiled its wearable AI technology that it’s been working on. The company has been shrouded in secrecy for over a year, and the revelation of their new product has stirred up a lot of buzz in the tech community. This AI-powered wearable device is being positioned as a potential replacement for smartphones, offering users a unique, hands-free experience that attempts to minimize the barriers technology can create between individuals and the world around them.
Design and Functionality
The device, which has yet to be named, is a small black puck-like gadget that fits comfortably into a shirt or coat’s breast pocket. It includes a camera, projector, and speaker, all of which protrude from the top. This design allows the device to operate independently without needing to be paired with a smartphone or any other device.
In a demonstration at a recent TED event, Humane’s co-founder Imran Chaudhri showcased a few interesting use cases. He demonstrated how the device can receive and manage phone calls, answer queries, translate sentences into different languages, provide summaries of recent emails, calendar events, and messages, and even provide dietary recommendations based on individual health profiles. These functionalities can be activated through a combination of voice commands and touch-sensitive controls on the device.
Public Reaction and Concerns
The innovative design and functionalities of Humane’s wearable AI have garnered a lot of attention, but they have also raised several questions about its practical use and the realities of its operation. Critics have questioned how the device can be used if one doesn’t have a breast pocket, how phone calls are accepted, how the device knows what language to translate into, and how it accesses personal digital information such as contacts or meeting info. Concerns have also been raised about privacy, particularly related to the chest camera, and the practicality of the projector in different lighting conditions and noise levels.
In the demo, Chaudhri also demonstrated the device’s capability to provide translations without specifying the target language and activate features without any apparent setup. These demonstrations have led to skepticism about whether the device will function as smoothly in real-world situations as it does in the demo, especially considering the challenges that currently exist with voice-controlled devices.
Humane’s wearable AI device is undoubtedly a fascinating concept that challenges conventional norms about how we interact with technology. However, there are many unanswered questions about the practicality, functionality, and privacy implications of the device. The tech community is eagerly awaiting more details from Humane to address these concerns and provide a clearer picture of how this device fits into our everyday lives.
