In the tech world, there are few things more exciting than a new device from a secretive startup with former Apple employees at the helm. And that’s exactly what we have with Humane’s latest creation: a wearable, AI-powered projector. For years, the company has been teasing us with cryptic marketing and hiring top talent, leaving many to wonder what they could be up to. But thanks to a leaked video from an upcoming TED talk by Humane’s co-founder and CEO Imran Chaudhri, we now have a glimpse of what’s been brewing.
It has been years of secrecy but Humane finally revealed its AI-powered wearable device at the TED2023 conference, as co-founder and CEO Imran Chaudhri gave a live demo of the gadget. According to Inverse, the wearable is completely standalone and doesn’t require pairing with a smartphone or any other device. During the demo, Chaudhri interacted with the device using touch sensors, housed in the top part of the gadget which was peaking out of his breast pocket, to showcase its various features.
The device is small, yet powerful, with voice commands and gesture controls to interact with its various projections. It even has a camera for computer vision features like object detection. However, there’s still much we still need to learn about the gadget, including its actual name and what Humane has planned for it. But with the level of talent and innovation behind it, the possibilities are endless.
One of the key features demonstrated by Chaudhri was language translation, where he spoke briefly to the audience and the device translated his words into French using a trained AI for voice cloning. While machine translation has been around for a while, Humane’s wearable takes it to the next level, offering a hands-free and real-time translation experience.
The @Humane wearable doing English->French AI translation in your own voice… wow. (SOUND ON)
Video credit @ZarifAli9
Read the exclusive on the Humane wearable's features: https://t.co/TYRmtYPSYI pic.twitter.com/cmAWEU8DFS
— Ray Wong (@raywongy) April 21, 2023
During the presentation, Chaudhri also showcased the device’s ability to provide information on demand. In one clip, he presses on the device and utters, “Catch me up.” A voice similar to Apple’s Siri then recites a few pieces of information such as “Patrick is coming to tomorrow’s design meeting,” which Chaudhri explains are from his emails, calendar invites, and messages.
"Catch me up," a summary of crucial information you may have missed while you were busy, on @humane's device. pic.twitter.com/AAIfh2Chfm
— Michael Mofina (@MichaelMofina) April 21, 2023
Another function that Chaudhri demonstrated was the ability to answer phone calls. When the device rings, he holds his hand in front of it and sees the message “Bethany is calling” projected onto his palm along with an X and check mark. He then greets the caller and has a brief conversation with his wife.
First public call on a @humane device, with audio! pic.twitter.com/nDaiFlAjMt
— Michael Mofina (@MichaelMofina) April 21, 2023
In another clip, Chaudhri showcases the capabilities of Humane’s wearable by asking a question while holding a candy bar in his other hand. He touches the device with one finger and asks, “Can I eat this?” The device responds with a voice, informing him that the treat contains cocoa butter and that, due to his intolerance, he may want to avoid it. This demonstrates the device’s ability to analyze and respond to personal health information, as well as its potential to be used as a tool for individuals with specific dietary restrictions or allergies.
@humane's device helping you decide what you can and cannot eat based on knowing your preferences and dietary restrictions. pic.twitter.com/PFwEAsNxDI
— Michael Mofina (@MichaelMofina) April 21, 2023
The leaked footage of Humane’s wearable has given us a glimpse into the AI-based technology, but it has also sparked new questions. One of the main concerns is how the device works, especially since we didn’t see Chaudhri ask the device to translate his speech into French, leaving us to wonder if it was pre-programmed. Additionally, the device’s design raises questions about how it will be worn and whether it needs a fastener.
The concept of having something projected onto your palm seems exciting, but is it really better than seeing it on a watch screen? While the device has its merits, it may not be a true iPhone killer, but rather a supplement to smartphones. We don’t know if the device runs the programs locally or sends data to the cloud to train AI models, making the whole project somewhat opaque.
In March, the mysterious startup led by former Apple employees successfully raised a Series C round of funding that brought in a host of notable investors, including Microsoft, Volvo Cars Tech Fund, Tiger Global, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Kindred Ventures led the round, which brought the total amount of funding raised by Humane to $230 million.
With the full presentation expected to be released soon, it’s possible that some of these questions will be answered. Even if the device doesn’t seem revolutionary now, it could still prove to be a niche gadget or hold untapped potential. Ultimately, only time will tell if Humane’s wearable will be a game-changer or just a passing fad.
