Humane, a buzzy startup, has a big idea: putting a camera on your body.
The demo is clever and a little real. It raises many questions about the device’s actual functionality.
Humane, a secretive startup in the tech world, has been generating buzz for more than a year. Now the company is finally revealing what it has been working on. Humane cofounder Imran Chaudhri demonstrated the AI-powered wearable that the company is developing as a smartphone replacement at TED last year. The full video was leaked after the event.
During the 13-minute presentation, Chaudhri walks through a handful of use cases for Humane’s gadget: * The device rings when Chaudhri receives a phone call. Chaudhri demonstrates the gadget’s use in a 13-minute demonstration. The device displays the name of the caller, along with icons for answering or ignoring the call. Then he has a short conversation. Around 1:48, he presses one finger and asks where he can purchase a gift. The device replies with the name of an area for shopping. Around 6:20, the user taps and holds two fingers on the gadget, then says a phrase. The device then translates it into another language using an AI-generated voice clone. Around 6:55, he presses and holds a finger on the device and says \”Catch Me Up,\” which reads a summary of his recent emails, calendars events, and message. At 9:45, he holds a bar of chocolate in front of the gadget, presses one finger and asks, \”Can I eat it?\” The device advises him not to eat the chocolate because he suffers from a food allergies. He presses one finger down again to tell the device that he is ignoring its advice. (Around 10:55)
Chaudhri has worked in design for Apple for over two decades. He pitched the device to a world dominated by screens. He said that some people believe AR/VR glasses such as these are the solution, with an image of VR headsets in front of him. He said that these devices, like smartphones, put \”an additional barrier between you and your world.\”
Humane’s gadget, or whatever you call it, is designed to feel more natural because the screen has been removed. The gadget is self-contained. He said that you don’t require a smartphone to use it.
Source:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/9/23631911/humane-apple-startup-wearable-camera-artificial-intelligence-series-c-funding-round
