The Humane AI Pin is certainly experiencing growing pains after its launch was met with lower than expected reviews.
While we only got to see a quick demo of the Humane AI Pin in action back in February at MWC 2024, the $700 accessory is now shipping out to customers who preordered it.
During the video, Lyu put the Humane AI Pin up against his company’s Rabbit R1 to see how the two devices compare in terms of design, functionality and most importantly, usability.
Although the Rabbit R1 had a 5-second lead over the Humane AI Pin when answering many of the questions Lyu asked, there were a few where both devices took around the same time to respond.
It’s worth noting that while the Rabbit R1 has a viewfinder so that you know exactly what its camera is looking at, the Humane AI Pin doesn’t have a screen at all.
It was in this section of the video (embedded above), that Lyu points out the weirdest problem with the Humane AI Pin yet.
“You have to make sure you practice how to tap on the AI Pin without touching your nipples.
Unlike the Rabbit R1, which is a handheld device for the most part, you’re going to be wearing the Humane AI Pin while using it.
Following a launch that received less positive reviews than anticipated, the Humane AI Pin is undoubtedly going through growing pains. However, the CEO of its main rival has since revealed yet another significant drawback to utilizing the new wearable with AI.
Though the Humane AI Pin was only briefly shown in action during the February 2024 Mobile World Congress, the $700 accessory is currently being shipped to preorder customers. Jesse Lyu, the CEO and founder of Rabbit, is one of those early adopters; in a recent YouTube video, he tests the device.
In order to compare the two devices’ designs, functions, and—most importantly—usability, Lyu pitted the Humane AI Pin against the Rabbit R1 from his company during the video. While the Humane AI Pin took five seconds longer to respond to many of Lyu’s questions than the Rabbit R1, on a few others both devices took about the same amount of time.
After that, Lyu made the decision to see if the cameras on each of these gadgets could recognize and identify objects. Notably, the Humane AI Pin lacks a screen entirely, whereas the Rabbit R1 features a viewfinder that lets you see exactly what its camera is focusing on. To check if you have the proper framing, you must instead take a picture and use its projection screen on your hand. Lyu identifies the most peculiar issue with the Humane AI Pin to date in this segment of the video, which is embedded above.
Practice tapping the AI Pin without touching your nipples; this is something you must do. I can tell you it’s a true challenge. Recall that I wear [it] in this manner and am a lefty-right. I had no idea where to put it. I put this here because it’s like human nature. My nipple is right here, dude, and I can touch it with that tap. I touch my nipple with this tapping motion. This was never considered. It’s very important, I assure you. To avoid touching your nipples, you must practice making that hand gesture. “.
All humor aside, Lyu makes a good point about how useful the Humane AI Pin is in real life. You will wear the Humane AI Pin while using it, in contrast to the Rabbit R1, which is primarily a handheld device. Nonetheless, David Pierce mentioned in his Verge review that he actually liked having the device in his hand as opposed to having it fastened to his shirt.
It makes sense that the initial wave of AI wearables has some kinks that need to be worked out, especially at a time when people are only starting to use ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini.
Thankfully, the best smartwatches and fitness trackers have already done the majority of the heavy lifting in terms of easing people’s acceptance of the idea of wearing electronic devices rather than just carrying them around.
There is undoubtedly a learning curve associated with using and wearing the Humane AI Pin, but there may be a better chance of success with another upcoming AI wearable. You can wear the Limitless Pendant like a necklace if you prefer not to have anything adhered to your clothing, but it can also be fastened to your clothing with its magnetic clasp. Similarly, the Limitless Pendant only has a microphone because it is meant to be used as a listening tool during meetings and other events. It does not have a camera. After that, it uses AI to convert these recordings into action items for your to-do list, meeting notes, and transcriptions.
There is a better way to view the world through the lens of AI, even though there are now AI-powered pendants and pins available. The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are smart glasses first and foremost, but they also come equipped with the new Meta AI assistant, which can be used to create text, take notes, and perform fast calculations.
While it will take some time for these wearables and AI-powered gadgets to become as ubiquitous as the Apple Watch, early adopters already have a variety of options for interacting with and utilizing AI in their daily lives. Additionally, you always have your phone in your pocket if an AI-powered wearable isn’t for you.
Additional information from Tom’s Guide.
