Humane Ai Pin Shuts Down: HP Buys Assets, Devices to Stop Working Next Week

Humane’s Ai Pin is shutting down after HP acquired its assets in a $116 million deal. The acquisition includes 300+ patents, the Cosmos AI operating system, and some employees, including the founders. The Ai Pin, once hyped as a smartphone alternative, failed due to overheating, poor AI performance, and limited functionality. HP has discontinued sales, and existing devices will stop working on February 28, 2025. Refunds are available for purchases made after November 15, 2024. HP plans to integrate Humane’s AI tech into future products under a new division, HP IQ.

Humane Ai Pin Shuts Down: HP Buys Assets, Devices to Stop Working Next Week

The Humane Ai Pin’s journey is coming to an abrupt end. This week, the company announced that HP will acquire several of its assets in a $116 million deal, set to be finalized by the end of the month. The acquisition includes over 300 patents and patent applications, a select number of Humane employees—including founders Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno—and the company’s Cosmos operating system. Humane had intended to license Cosmos for use in third-party devices, such as cars, but no significant partnerships materialized.

Initially hailed as Silicon Valley’s next breakthrough in late 2023, the Ai Pin was marketed as a smartphone replacement, featuring a ChatGPT-powered assistant and a laser-projected display. However, upon its 2024 launch, reviews were overwhelmingly negative, citing frequent overheating, unreliable AI responses, limited functionality, and a frustrating projector experience.

HP has little interest in continuing the Ai Pin’s hardware, and sales have now been discontinued. Customers who purchased a device after November 15, 2024, are eligible for refunds. Existing Ai Pins will cease to function after noon Pacific Time on February 28, 2025, with most features shutting down—except the ability to check remaining battery life. Users should sync and download any data before that deadline, as it will be deleted.

HP plans to incorporate Humane’s Cosmos AI into its products, aiming to enhance functionality and expand AI-driven features. Humane engineers will transition into a new division called HP IQ, an innovation lab focused on integrating smart capabilities across HP’s product lineup. Whether this results in genuinely useful advancements—like a less frustrating printer experience—remains to be seen.

The downfall of the Humane Ai Pin serves as a cautionary tale for ambitious startups promising groundbreaking technology without fully delivering on its potential. When the Ai Pin was first introduced, it captivated tech enthusiasts with the idea of a wearable AI-powered assistant that could replace smartphones. The device, designed to clip onto clothing, featured a camera, microphone, and a laser projector that displayed information on the user’s hand. It was meant to offer a more intuitive, screen-free way to interact with technology. However, the execution fell short in almost every aspect.

One of the biggest criticisms was the device’s reliance on cloud processing, which led to slow response times and inconsistent AI-generated answers. The projector, meant to replace traditional smartphone screens, was difficult to read in bright environments and required users to hold their hand at a precise angle for interaction. Additionally, the Ai Pin’s battery life was underwhelming, and the device frequently overheated, making it impractical for extended use. For a product that aimed to redefine personal computing, these shortcomings made it nearly unusable for everyday consumers.

Despite the hype and a high-profile launch, Humane struggled to gain traction. The Ai Pin’s steep $699 price tag, combined with a mandatory $24 monthly subscription for cloud services, made it an expensive gamble for potential buyers. Without a strong ecosystem of apps or features, users found little incentive to adopt the device over a traditional smartphone or smartwatch.

With HP acquiring Humane’s intellectual property and core team, the question remains whether any of this technology will be meaningfully integrated into future products. HP’s announcement suggests a focus on AI-driven enhancements, possibly in PCs, printers, and enterprise solutions. However, given Humane’s track record, it remains uncertain whether its technology can deliver practical improvements in real-world applications.