Humane, the ambitious start-up behind the Ai Pin device, sells to HP for $116 million
Founders’ Vision and Rise to Prominence
Humane, a technology start-up founded by Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, the husband-and-wife team who previously worked at Apple, aimed to revolutionize the way people interact with technology. The duo envisioned a wearable device, the Ai Pin, that would allow users to clip it to their clothes and interact with it using voice commands and a laser display projected onto their hand. The idea was to reduce the time spent staring at smartphone screens.
Challenges and Setbacks
Despite raising $240 million in funding from prominent investors, including Marc Benioff and Sam Altman, the company’s journey was marked by significant challenges. The Ai Pin, which began shipping to customers last spring, was met with criticism from reviewers, who criticized its A.I. software for often providing incorrect answers or taking a long time to respond. The device’s batteries sometimes overheated, and the company was forced to issue a recall due to the fire risk.
Sale to HP
In a surprising turn of events, Humane has agreed to sell parts of its business to HP for $116 million. The deal includes the acquisition of Humane’s A.I. capabilities, including its software platform, intellectual property, patents, and some employees. The Ai Pin will be discontinued, and customers have been notified that the device will no longer function after the end of this month. The company’s website has also announced that customer data will be deleted.
HP’s Plans for the Technology
HP, which sells an estimated 53 million PCs a year, aims to integrate Humane’s technology into its laptops to make them more useful. The company has already worked with Microsoft to develop a line of A.I.-powered computers called Copilot+ PCs. The acquisition is part of HP’s strategy to become a more "experience-led company," with a focus on building an intelligent ecosystem across its products and services.
Conclusion
Humane’s journey, marked by high hopes and significant challenges, serves as a cautionary tale for start-ups. Despite its ambitious vision, the company was unable to overcome the technical hurdles and deliver a successful product. The sale to HP marks the end of an era for Humane, but the company’s legacy will live on through its employees, who will join HP’s innovation lab, HP IQ, to focus on building an intelligent ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deal worth?
A: The deal is worth $116 million.
Q: What does the deal include?
A: The deal includes Humane’s A.I. capabilities, including its software platform, intellectual property, patents, and some employees.
Q: What will happen to the Ai Pin?
A: The Ai Pin will no longer function after the end of this month, and customer data will be deleted.
Q: What is HP’s plan for the technology?
A: HP aims to integrate Humane’s technology into its laptops to make them more useful and become a more "experience-led company."
