Humane AI Pin

Humane AI Pin
Basic Info
VR/AR	Wearable AI
Type	AI Wearable
Subtype	Screenless Wearable, Voice Assistant Device
Platform	Cosmos OS (Android-based)
Creator	Humane
Developer	Humane Inc.
Manufacturer	Humane
Announcement Date	November 9, 2023
Release Date	April 2024
Price	$699 (later reduced to $499)
Website	https://humane.com/
Versions	Humane AI Pin
Requires	T-Mobile cellular service ($24/month subscription)
Predecessor	None (first product)
Successor	Discontinued
System
Operating System	Cosmos OS (custom Android)
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon
GPU	Integrated
Storage
Storage	Internal
Memory	Internal
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Laser Ink projector (720p monochrome green)
Subpixel Layout	Monochrome (green laser)
Peak Brightness	Laser projection
Resolution	720p (projected)
Pixel Density	Variable (palm distance)
Refresh Rate	Standard
Persistence	Laser projection
Image
Field of View	Palm-sized projection
Horizontal FoV	~3-4 inch projection
Vertical FoV	~3-4 inch projection
Average Pixel Density	Variable
Peak Pixel Density	Variable
Foveated Rendering	N/A
Optics
Optics	Laser projector
Ocularity	External projection
IPD Range	N/A
Adjustable Diopter	N/A
Passthrough	N/A (not worn on head)
Tracking
Tracking	Hand/palm detection
Tracking Frequency	Real-time
Base Stations	N/A
Eye Tracking	N/A
Face Tracking	N/A
Hand Tracking	Yes (palm gestures)
Body Tracking	Motion sensors
Rotational Tracking	Motion sensors
Positional Tracking	Motion sensors
Update Rate	Real-time
Tracking Volume	Palm projection area
Play Space	Anywhere
Latency	AI processing dependent
Audio
Audio	Built-in speaker
Microphone	Yes (voice activation)
3.5mm Audio Jack	No
Camera	Yes (photo/video capable)
Connectivity
Connectivity	T-Mobile 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth
Ports	Proprietary charging (magnetic)
Wired Video	No
Wireless Video	No
WiFi	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes
Power	Swappable battery booster
Battery Capacity	Internal + external booster
Battery Life	4+ hours (with booster)
Charge Time	Magnetic charging
Device
Dimensions	44mm × 47.5mm
Weight	34.2g (front unit)
Material	Premium metal, various shields
Headstrap	N/A (chest-worn pin)
Haptics	Touch feedback
Color	Eclipse (black), Equinox (silver), Lunar (white)
Sensors	Motion sensors, depth sensor, camera
Input	Voice, touch panel, hand gestures
Compliance	FCC certified

The Humane AI Pin was a screenless AI wearable device developed by Humane Inc., formally announced on November 9, 2023, and shipped starting April 2024 at $699 (later reduced to $499) plus a $24 monthly subscription for AI and cellular connectivity. Founded by former Apple employees, Humane designed the AI Pin as a revolutionary "post-smartphone" device worn on the chest like a pin, featuring a 720p "Laser Ink" projector that displays a green monochrome interface onto the user's palm, powered by OpenAI's GPT-4 and a custom Cosmos OS (Android-based) running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset. Weighing just 34.2 grams (the front unit), the device measured 44mm × 47.5mm and consisted of two parts: the front processing unit containing camera, speaker, microphones, touch panel, and projector, attached magnetically to a rear battery booster worn inside the clothing. Users interacted through voice commands, a touch-sensitive panel, and hand gestures in the projected interface. Available in three shield colors (Eclipse/black, Equinox/silver, Lunar/white), the AI Pin offered photo/video capture, real-time translation, AI queries, and phone calls via T-Mobile connectivity. Despite significant anticipation and $230+ million in funding, the device received poor reviews upon launch, criticizing slow response times, heat issues, limited functionality, and the $24/month subscription requirement. In October 2024, Humane reduced the price to $499, and by February 2025, announced discontinuation of sales and server shutdown (February 28, 2025). HP subsequently acquired Humane's Cosmos OS and 300+ patents for $116 million, while the AI Pin device business was discontinued—marking one of the most high-profile wearable AI failures despite its ambitious vision.

History and Development

Humane Inc. Origins

Company founding:

Founded by ex-Apple employees
Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno
Former Apple design veterans
$230+ million raised

Vision and Philosophy

Company mission:

"Post-smartphone" concept
Screenless interaction
AI-first design
Ambient computing

November 2023 Announcement

Official reveal:

November 9, 2023 announcement
$699 price point
Pre-orders opened
High anticipation

April 2024 Shipping

Product launch:

Devices shipped April 2024
Initial reviews published
Critical reception
Performance issues noted

October 2024 Price Reduction

Market response:

Price reduced to $499
Attempting market recovery
Sales struggles
Inventory challenges

February 2025 Discontinuation

End of product:

Sales stopped
Server shutdown February 28, 2025
HP acquisition ($116 million)
Device business discontinued

Design Philosophy

Post-Smartphone

Vision concept:

Beyond smartphones
Ambient AI
Screenless by default
Voice-first interaction

Wearable AI

Form factor:

Chest-worn device
Pin/brooch style
Always accessible
Fashion statement

Screenless Interface

Interaction model:

Laser projection to palm
Voice commands primary
Gesture control
Minimal visual distraction

AI-First

Technology priority:

GPT-4 integration
Cloud AI processing
Natural language
Contextual assistance

Hardware Design

Two-Part System

Physical components:

Front unit: Processing, camera, projector
Rear booster: Battery pack
Magnetic connection
Through-clothing attachment

Front Unit

Main device:

Weight: 34.2g
Camera
Speaker
Microphones
Touch panel
Laser projector

Battery Booster

Power system:

Swappable boosters
Magnetic attachment
Extra battery capacity
Multiple included

Dimensions

Physical size:

Width: 44mm (1.73 inches)
Height: 47.5mm (1.87 inches)
Compact design
Pin-sized form

Display Technology

Laser Ink Projector

Projection system:

Resolution: 720p
Color: Monochrome green
Type: Laser projection
Palm-detected display

Palm Projection

Usage method:

Hand raised, palm up
Motion-detected activation
~3-4 inch display area
Gesture interaction

Projection Interface

Visual elements:

Text display
Icons
Menu navigation
AI responses

Cosmos OS

Operating System

Software platform:

Base: Custom Android
Name: Cosmos OS
Humane-designed interface
AI-integrated

AI Integration

Intelligence layer:

OpenAI GPT-4
Natural language processing
Contextual understanding
Cloud-based AI

Interface Design

User experience:

Voice-first
Minimal UI
Gesture-based
Touch panel backup

Input Methods

Voice Commands

Primary input:

Voice activation
Natural language
AI assistant queries
Tap to activate

Touch Panel

Physical input:

Face touchpad
Tap gestures
Navigation
Selection

Hand Gestures

Projection interaction:

Palm-based gestures
Pinch and zoom
Swipe navigation
Air interactions

Connectivity

Cellular

Wireless service:

Network: T-Mobile 4G LTE
Phone calls
Data connectivity
US coverage

Subscription

Service requirement:

Cost: $24/month
AI services
Cloud storage
Cellular service
Required for operation

WiFi and Bluetooth

Additional connectivity:

WiFi support
Bluetooth support
Device pairing
Backup connectivity

Camera

Photo Capability

Image capture:

Built-in camera
Photo capture
Quick shots
Memory recording

Video Recording

Video capability:

Video capture
Short clips
Moment capture
Social sharing

Audio

Speaker

Audio output:

Built-in speaker
AI responses
Phone calls
Notifications

Microphones

Voice input:

Voice capture
Command recognition
Call quality
Always-ready listening

Features

AI Assistant

Core function:

GPT-4 powered
Question answering
Task assistance
Information lookup

Real-Time Translation

Language feature:

Spoken translation
Multiple languages
Conversation mode
Travel assistance

Phone Calls

Communication:

T-Mobile calls
Number assignment
Voice calls
Contact integration

Music Playback

Entertainment:

Tidal integration
Music streaming
Speaker playback
Audio content

Photo Capture

Visual memory:

Quick photos
AI-described
Cloud storage
Memory capture

Power System

Battery Design

Power management:

Internal battery
External boosters
Magnetic swap
Hot-swappable

Battery Life

Usage duration:

~4+ hours with booster
Multiple boosters included
All-day potential
Booster rotation

Charging

Power delivery:

Magnetic charging
Proprietary connector
Charging case
Booster charging

Color Options

Shield Designs

Customization:

Eclipse: Black
Equinox: Silver
Lunar: White
Interchangeable shields

Pricing

Initial Pricing

Launch costs:

Device: $699
Subscription: $24/month
Includes T-Mobile service

October 2024 Reduction

Price adjustment:

Reduced to: $499
Same subscription
Market response
Inventory clearance

Reception and Criticism

Poor Reviews

Critical reception:

Slow AI responses
Heat generation issues
Limited functionality
High subscription cost

Functionality Concerns

Practical issues:

Inconsistent performance
Battery limitations
Projection visibility
Learning curve

Market Failure

Commercial outcome:

Low sales
Returns reported
Investor concerns
Strategic pivot needed

Discontinuation

February 2025 Shutdown

End of service:

Sales stopped
Server shutdown February 28, 2025
Device functionality ended
Cloud services terminated

HP Acquisition

Asset sale:

Price: $116 million
Cosmos OS acquired
300+ patents acquired
Device business not acquired

Legacy

Industry impact:

Pioneering attempt
Lessons learned
Wearable AI challenges
Market timing issues

Comparison with AI Wearables

Feature	Humane AI Pin	Ray-Ban Meta	Even Realities G1	Rabbit R1
Form Factor	Chest pin	Smart glasses	Smart glasses	Handheld device
Display	Laser projector	None	Binocular waveguide	2.88" LCD
AI	GPT-4	Meta AI	ChatGPT/Perplexity	LAM
Camera	Yes	Yes (12MP)	Yes	Yes (8MP)
Subscription	$24/month	None	$4.99/mo (Pro)	None
Base Price	$499-$699	$299	$599	$199
Status	Discontinued	Active	Active	Active

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

Innovative screenless design concept
Compact 34.2g weight
GPT-4 AI integration
Unique Laser Ink palm projection
Voice-first natural interaction
Real-time translation feature
Premium build quality
Swappable battery system
Phone call capability via T-Mobile

Limitations

$24/month mandatory subscription
Slow AI response times
Heat generation issues
Poor battery life without boosters
T-Mobile US only
Projection visibility in bright light
Limited functionality vs. smartphone
High initial cost ($699)
Product discontinued February 2025
Servers shut down

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification	Details
Type	Screenless AI wearable
Form Factor	Chest-worn pin
Display	720p Laser Ink projector (green)
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon
OS	Cosmos OS (custom Android)
AI	OpenAI GPT-4
Dimensions	44mm × 47.5mm
Weight	34.2g (front unit)
Camera	Yes (photo/video)
Connectivity	T-Mobile 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth
Subscription	$24/month (required)
Price	$699 ($499 after reduction)
Status	Discontinued (February 2025)

References