Humane postpones Ai Pin ship date to mid-April
It’s common knowledge in the tech industry that hardware development can be challenging, especially for first-generation products from new startups. Despite the initial excitement and investment, delays are not uncommon. Therefore, it’s not entirely surprising that Humane’s upcoming Ai Pin has been postponed from its initial March release to “mid-April,” as announced by the startup’s Head of Media, Sam Sheffer, in a recent video.
According to Sheffer, the first units are expected to leave the factory by the end of March. If Humane adheres to this timeline, customers with “priority access” will begin receiving their units in mid-April, with the remaining preorders following shortly after. Such delays are typical in the hardware development process, as ensuring quality and functionality often requires additional time and testing.
a few @Humane updates: pic.twitter.com/olYQp8utdc
— Sam Sheffer (@samsheffer) February 23, 2024
Humane garnered significant attention in the tech community even before the official announcement of its first product. This interest was partly fueled by the founders’ backgrounds at Apple, along with some mysterious prelaunch teasers. Finally, the Ai Pin was unveiled at an event in San Francisco in early November, offering attendees a firsthand look at the wearable device.
The Ai Pin represents a notable entry in what is expected to become a burgeoning trend in consumer hardware. With the increasing popularity of generative AI, more startups are exploring innovative form factors beyond traditional devices like smartphones. Humane is positioning its product as a significant advancement in this space, aiming to move beyond the limitations of the smartphone form factor that has dominated the market for over a decade.
Indeed, 2024 is poised to witness the emergence of the “AI smartphone” category, with handsets integrating GPT models from prominent companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. These devices aim to revolutionize how users interact with consumer electronics by leveraging advanced generative AI capabilities. Additionally, newcomer rabbit generated considerable excitement at CES last month with its unique approach to generative AI-focused consumer devices.
For Humane, the upcoming launch of the Ai Pin carries significant weight. Having raised approximately $230 million in funding, including a substantial $100 million Series C round last year, the company is under pressure to deliver a polished product. While early adopters may tolerate some first-gen issues, there’s a limit to their patience. Ultimately, consumers expect a product to perform reliably and fulfill its intended functions consistently. Thus, delaying the launch until the product is consumer-ready is a prudent move for Humane to ensure a successful debut in the competitive consumer hardware market.
