Humane, the company behind the AI Pin, is shutting down just months after its launch in April 2024 and its attempt to sell itself by May. Customers who bought the AI Pin, originally priced at $700 and later reduced to $500, will not see refunds. These devices will stop working on February 28 at noon PT.
The AI Pin is a lapel pin that comes equipped with an AI voice assistant, camera, speaker, and laser projector. Once it becomes non-functional, it will no longer connect to Humane’s servers. According to Humane’s FAQ page, all personal data stored on their servers will be permanently deleted. Following this, Humane has halted all sales and canceled unfulfilled orders, citing a shift in focus to new ventures.
Among these new ventures is the sale of key assets, including the AI Pin’s operating system, CosmOS, and over 300 patents, to HP for $116 million. HP expects this deal to finalize soon.
Humane had raised $241 million for its AI Pin and was valued at around $1 billion before its release. Last year, the company aimed to sell for between $750 million and $1 billion.
Customers face disappointment as only those who purchased their devices within 90 days can receive a refund, as mentioned on Humane’s FAQ page. Orders shipped before November 15, 2024, are not eligible for refunds, and any requests must be submitted by February 27, 2025.
After the shutdown, the AI Pins will lose all connectivity. This means no calls, texts, or data services will be available. Though some features like battery level can still work offline, for many users, their $700 AI Pin will become useless e-waste in just a few days.
