It’s a bit like a badge communicator from Star Trek with a futuristic laser-projected display.
The unimaginatively named Ai Pin is about the size and shape of an iPhone 15 camera array.
It is square with rounded corners, with the top edge angled slightly forward.
The prototype waswoveninto a jacket for demonstration and only showed the sensor array.
The final version clips on with a magnetic back that also functions as a hot-swappable battery booster.
It can also play music and serve as a virtual assistant.
The crucial difference is that it does not have a screen.
Users mainly operate the Ai Pin via voice commands.
The onboard AI handles almost any request.
like “Call my mom” or “Play [song].”
It also has a camera so it can identify objects, gestures, and written text.
The Ai Pin also responds to touch and hand gestures.
For example, swiping up or down on the Ai Pin controls volume.
Most other functions use voice commands interpreted by AI.
It can also translate over 50 languages in real time.
Likewise, it can output translations vocally or visually via its internal speaker or laser display.
Overall, it’s a pretty cool piece of tech, but it won’t replace your current smartphone.
There is too much that it cannot do.
It still fells like a proof-of-concept or a phone accessory.
Maybe with another five or 10 years of development it could challenge smart phones.
As it is, average consumers are going to want more for its high MSRP.
Still, it has a demographic of early adopters.
The white and black polished chrome variants are $100 more on Humane’sweb store.
Pre-orders starting today will arrive in early May.
