Human-led Bricks Discontinues AI Division, Agrees to Sell it to HP for $116 Million Dollars
In a surprising turn of events, AI wearable company Humane, once touted at a staggering $850 million valuation, tumbled down the AI hype rabbit hole. Now, legacy tech giant HP is on a mission to salvage whatever's left of Humane's once-ambitious AI wearable vision, shelling out a modest $116 million for the CosmOS operating system, IP, and other assets. The deal effectively sealed Humane's fate, with any AI Pin users finding their devices inoperable by February 28.
The $116 million price tag might seem substantial, but remember Humane's initial aspiration for a billion-dollar buyout. HP announced its acquisition on Tuesday, snatching Humane's operating system, its "wizened" pool of technical talent, and a whopping 300 patents and patent applications. Tuan Tran, former president of HP's printing division and newly handed AI venture lead, commented on the buyout, promising to "turbocharge" HP's capacity to develop AI-centric devices.
HP is eyeing the integration of CosmOS into its existing product line, expanding beyond printers to "smart" stations like printers and conference rooms. Printer buffs can now imagine their devices chatting AI-style. Tran praised CosmOS' dual-use potential – its ability to employ both on-device and cloud-based AI models – echoing Google, Apple, Microsoft, and other tech titans' efforts to integrate AI tech into their offerings.
Launched barely over a month before the sale, the AI Pin struggled with derisory user reviews, citing its slow responsiveness and propensity for errors. Sales didn't pick up after its April 20XX debut, forcing Humane to conduct a product recall months later due to fire hazard concerns with the charging case.
The sale saw the discontinuation of the AI Pin, with users given little time to download stored images and videos or secure refunds. The few remaining features - like querying battery status - would continue to operate until February 28, 20XX.
Following dismal AI Pin reviews, Humane pivoted to an exclusive focus on the CosmOS operating system in October 20XX, hoping to license it to fellow businesses through an SDK. The OS was touted for its AI agent capabilities, including the unique feature of "remembering" previous conversations and tasks.
Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, Humane's Apple alumni co-founders, moved on to HP's turf. Their new division is likely to focus on incorporating AI into existing devices, rather than introducing AI-centric wearables – an area yet to produce an impressive product.
Humane's misfortunes might temper enthusiasm for other AI wearables, especially considering the fire hazard of the AI Pin's charging case. Still, large and small brands continue to experiment with AI wearables, with Meta and other tech companies expected to unveil new AI assets in 20XX. Whether customers learn a lesson from Humane's setbacks remains to be seen.
Sources:[1] Humane HQ, January 20XX[2] The Verge, January 20XX[3] MKBHD, January 20XX[4] TechCrunch, January 20XX[5] Bloomberg, January 20XX
The acquisition of Humane's assets by HP signifies a significant step towards integrating artificial-intelligence into HP's tech products, such as printers and conference rooms. Tuan Tran, HP's newly appointed AI venture lead, believes that the CosmOS operating system will help turbocharge their AI capabilities.
The discontinuation of the AI Pin following the sale leaves many wondering about the future of AI wearables, especially after the device's poor user reviews and fire hazard concerns. However, large and small brands continue to venture into AI wearable technology, with Meta and others expected to unveil new AI assets in the future.
HP's acquisition of Humane's patents and patent applications could potentially provide them with a competitive edge in the tech industry, as patents in artificial-intelligence and technology are highly valued andController protected. The company can use these patents to develop innovative AI-centric products or defend themselves against patent infringement lawsuits.
The supposed integration of CosmOS into HP's product line could potentially lead to the development of chatbots that replicate AI-style chatting on devices like printers. This could be a game-changer in the tech industry, as chatbots have become increasingly popular and essential in various sectors, from customer service to entertainment.
