Humane AI Pin Shut Down: HP Acquires Assets for $116M

Humane Acquired by HP for $116 Million, AI Pin Discontinued

On Tuesday, it was announced that HP has acquired the majority of Humane’s assets for $116 million. Consequently, the hardware startup will cease sales of its AI Pin, which originally retailed for $499.

Customers who have already purchased the device have been informed that functionality will be terminated by the end of the month. Specifically, the AI Pin will cease operating at 12 p.m. PST on February 28, 2025, as detailed in a company blog post.

AI Pin Functionality to Cease

Following the aforementioned date, the AI Pin will lose its connection to Humane’s servers. This disconnection will render the devices incapable of performing core functions. These include making calls, sending messages, processing AI queries, and accessing cloud-based services.

Humane is strongly advising owners of the AI Pin to immediately transfer any important photos and data to an external storage solution.

Customer Support and Refund Policy

The company intends to disband its customer support team dedicated to the AI Pin on February 28. A recent FAQ indicates that customers who made a purchase within the last 90 days are eligible for a full refund.

However, those who acquired the device prior to this timeframe will not be entitled to a refund.

A Brief History of Humane

This acquisition marks the end of a relatively short but highly publicized venture for the hardware startup. Humane initially gained attention in April 2024 with the launch of its AI Pin, which was marketed as a potential alternative to traditional smartphones.

Founded by former Apple employees, Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, the Bay Area-based company successfully secured over $230 million in funding to develop the device.

Challenges and Setbacks

Despite initial hype, the AI Pin faced criticism from both early reviewers and consumers, leading to significant challenges for the company. Reports from The Verge indicated that returns of the device began to exceed sales figures last summer.

Further compounding these issues, Humane cautioned customers against using the device’s charging case due to concerns regarding potential battery fires. In October, the price of the AI Pin was reduced from $699 to $499.

HP’s Acquisition Strategy

HP’s acquisition focuses on integrating Humane’s engineering and product management teams. These individuals will form the core of a new division within HP, known as HP IQ.

HP IQ is described as an “AI innovation lab” dedicated to developing an intelligent ecosystem across HP’s existing product lines and future services, specifically targeting the future of work.

Technology Integration

The acquisition also includes key technologies developed by Humane, notably its CosmOS AI operating system. Recent demonstrations showcased the potential for this operating system to function across various platforms.

These included in-car entertainment systems, smart speakers, televisions, and Android smartphones. HP intends to leverage this technology to enhance its personal computers and printer offerings with integrated AI capabilities.

Previous Acquisition Attempts

According to a Bloomberg report, Humane had previously explored acquisition opportunities in May 2024, seeking a valuation between $750 million and $1 billion.

Lack of Immediate Response

TechCrunch’s request for comment from Humane was not immediately answered.