Humane, a promising AI hardware startup, has officially discontinued operations for its main product, the AI Pin, after its acquisition by HP. The tech giant paid $116 million for Humane's assets, ending the startup's ambitious attempt to reinvent personal computing. As a result, Humane has discontinued sales of its $499 AI Pin and informed its users that the device will stop functioning entirely on February 28, 2025.
The AI Pin, launched in April 2024, was created as a wearable AI-powered alternative to smartphones. However, despite raising over $230 million and generating significant hype in the industry, the device received poor reviews, and the sales fell short of expectations. According to reports, at one time, returns surpassed purchases, marking a significant setback for the company. Humane further advised customers to stop using the AI Pin's charging case due to battery fire risk, further damaging consumer trust.
HP had acquired Humane's engineers and product managers, as well as its AI platform, CosmOS, which the startup had envisioned as an operating system capable of powering a variety of smart devices. This acquisition will combine these capabilities into a new HP division called HP IQ, an AI innovation lab focused on establishing intelligent ecosystems throughout HP's product line, including AI-powered PCs, smart printers, and connected office solutions.
According to HP, acquiring Humane's AI skills and intellectual property, which includes more than 300 patents, will accelerate their push towards AI-enhanced experiences. HP's President of Technology and Innovation, Tuan Tran, emphasized that the investment will allow HP to work on a new generation of AI-powered devices capable of managing both local and cloud-based AI workloads.
Humane's co-founders, Bethany Bongiorno, and Imran Chaudhri, expressed their excitement about joining HP, highlighting the company's scale and operational skills as key advantages in introducing AI technologies to a broader market. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of February 2025.
For existing owners of the AI Pin, the sudden shutdown raises questions about the longevity of the gadget and the hazards of investing in developing AI hardware. While refunds are available for some recent buyers, many early adopters will be left with an unfunctional product. This highlights the difficulties of introducing experimental hardware in a competitive market.