Released in 2024 after having raised $230M, the Humane AI pin was a futuristic wearable device powered by artificial intelligence. However, the AI assistant frequently gave incorrect answers to questions, the pin struggled to complete basic tasks like setting a timer or making a phone call, the battery only lasted two to four hours, the voice commands were slow, ad the pin overheated easily.
Less than a year after its launch, the AI Pin is gone, and Humane Inc. is being sold for spare parts.
So, what went wrong?
Let’s break it down:
1. Bold vision, flawed execution
Humane marketed the AI Pin as an “iPhone killer,” but failed at product design. Slow response times, overheating issues, and an awkward user experience made it feel like a prototype.
2. A flawed pricing strategy
The $699 price was high as is, but the added $24/month subscription made possible customers say “I’ll just use my phone”.
3. Skipping real-world testing
Poor battery life, laggy cloud processing, and unreliable voice commands made it impractical for everyday use – issues that should’ve been caught in testing.
4. Operating like a corporation, not a startup
Humane followed Apple’s “big reveal” strategy instead of iterating based on user feedback. Prioritizing design over function, they ignored early warnings and launched an unfinished product.
5. No ecosystem, no adoption
Unlike Apple or Google, the AI Pin had no app store, third-party integrations, or seamless device compatibility, leaving users with a standalone gadget that didn’t fit into their workflow.
6. Burned cash without a backup plan
Despite raising $230M, Humane’s high burn rate meant they needed mass adoption fast. When early reviews highlighted flaws, demand collapsed, and they had no pivot strategy.
