The Humane Ai Pin aims to be your always-available intelligent helper that is constantly with you, without needing to hold a smartphone. This tiny computercreated by startup Humane attaches to your clothes like a lapel pin using magnets. It has an ambitious goal of answering questions, taking notes, translating conversations and more using artificial intelligence.
New York Times journalist Brian X. Chen tested the $700 device for 2 weeks to see how much it could truly offload from a smartphone. While the concept is innovative, he found the current version has room for improvement in delivering seamless, dependable assistance. The pin correctly added items to a packing list and translated conversations on the go. However, it struggled with other everyday tasks like identifying flowers and locating a food truck.
Its image recognition abilities led to some odd responses too. When asked about a bagel, it fixated on health and suggested baking tips instead of a simple judgment. Humane acknowledged the AI still has learning to do and updates are coming to address issues.
Interacting without a screen proved challenging as well. Tasks like calling a new number or framing photos required an inefficient workaround. While the laser projection interface was novel, it quickly overheated.
Overall, the reviewer felt his phone was still better for most core functions. However, he appreciated having an on-hand companion for certain sporadic queries and sees promise as the technology matures. With continued data collection aiding improved responses, a less buggy and lower priced Ai Pin in the future could make an all-in-one digital assistant more realistic.
For now, early adopters will have to contend with its imperfect but developing intelligence to truly cut the cord when away from their smartphone screens. Continued refinement is crucial for the Humane Ai Pin to reach its goal of seamlessly augmenting our digital lives.
