Former Apple Employees Tease A Screenless, AI-Powered Wearable Device

A company founded by former Apple employees five years ago is giving a sneak peek into the potential future of smart devices. Do you believe a screenless future is possible? So do the folks at Humane. The company recently teased its first product that could replace smartphones as we currently understand them.

In a leaked TED talk, Humane's president and Apple's ex-director of design on the human interface team, Imran Chaudhri explained how this clip device works. The wearable device attaches to the chest in the clip and is controlled by taps and voice.

Screenshot: Zarif Ali

"It¡¯s a new kind of wearable device and platform that¡¯s built entirely from the ground up for artificial intelligence," Chaudhri said. "And it's completely standalone. You don't need a smartphone or any other device to pair with it."

How would the device work?

The device essentially works like well-known digital assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. It can reportedly access "email, calendar invites, and messages" to respond to user queries and concerns, the clip below shows.

"Catch me up," a summary of crucial information you may have missed while you were busy, on @humane's device. pic.twitter.com/AAIfh2Chfm

¡ª Michael Mofina (@MichaelMofina) April 21, 2023

In one of the clips, the Humane device may be used to translate any phrase into a different language in a user's own voice instead of a stock assistant tone we're all used to.

The @Humane wearable doing English->French AI translation in your own voice... wow. (SOUND ON)

Video credit @ZarifAli9

Read the exclusive on the Humane wearable's features: https://t.co/TYRmtYPSYI pic.twitter.com/cmAWEU8DFS

¡ª Ray Wong (@raywongy) April 21, 2023

Also read: Apple's Next Move: Leaked Dummy Unit Reveals Exciting Changes For iPhone 15 Pro

Zarif Ali

It also appears that the Humane device comes with a built-in camera, but its artificial intelligence capabilities make it more than just a typical photography lens. In one clip, Chaudhri shows a Milky Bar to the lens and asks "can I eat this?" After a three-second pause, the device says the following - "A Milky Bar contains cocoa butter. Given your intolerance, you may want to avoid it." Bizarre, right?

@humane's device helping you decide what you can and cannot eat based on knowing your preferences and dietary restrictions. pic.twitter.com/PFwEAsNxDI

¡ª Michael Mofina (@MichaelMofina) April 21, 2023

So what happens to the visual aspect? In another clip, we can see how the device projects information about the call onto Chaudhri's hand, completely eradicating the need for a handheld screen for connectivity needs.

First demo of the @Humane upcoming AI-powered wearable device. A phone call.

Thanks @ZarifAli9 for sharing! pic.twitter.com/7qyDScPkOh

¡ª Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) April 21, 2023

While this might not be the right device for long-term Netflix binging, it still shows a lot of potential.

Also read: Apple's iOS 16.4 Update Adds 21 New Emoji, Voice Isolation Support To iPhones

"We like to say that the experience is screenless, seamless, and sensing, allowing you to access the power of compute while remaining present in your surroundings, fixing a balance that¡¯s felt out of place for some time now," Chaudhri said.

The fascinating device was shown in a controlled demo, suggesting that it's unclear how effectively it can function in real-time.

Would you be willing to spend on a device like this? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.