Humane’s AI Pin Dreams End as HP Buys Most of Its Assets for $116M

It’s the end of the road for Humane’s big AI hardware gamble. The startup—founded by ex-Apple veterans Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno—announced on Tuesday that HP is acquiring most of its assets for $116 million. This includes CosmOS, Humane’s AI-powered operating system, which HP will likely use to boost its AI-driven devices. However, this also means the end of Humane’s much-hyped AI Pin, a wearable gadget that was supposed to revolutionize computing but never quite took off.

The AI Pin: From Hype to Flop

Humane launched the AI Pin in 2023 with high hopes, promising a screen-free, AI-powered device that could handle tasks like real-time translation and gesture-based controls. Backed by $230 million in funding and big-name investors, the company pitched it as the future of “ambient computing.”

But reality hit fast. Priced at $699 plus a $24 monthly subscription, users found the AI Pin underwhelming—plagued by overheating, laggy performance, and no real advantage over smartphones. Reviewers slammed it as a “solution in search of a problem,” and sales tanked. By early 2024, Humane was already looking for a way out, leading to HP’s acquisition.

HP’s AI Play

For HP, this deal is a relatively low-cost way to enter the AI hardware space. The company now owns CosmOS, Humane’s lightweight AI operating system, which could enhance future HP products—think AI-powered laptops, smart office gadgets, and more.

HP CEO Enrique Lores called the deal a “foundational step” in embedding AI across HP’s product lineup. Meanwhile, Humane spun it as a “strategic alignment”, hinting that the company may continue working on AI ethics and other projects. Interestingly, HP didn’t buy all of Humane’s intellectual property, suggesting the startup might not be completely out of the game.

What This Means for AI Wearables

Humane’s rise and fall highlight the challenges AI startups face—great ideas aren’t enough if they can’t compete with tech giants like Apple and Google. The HP deal follows a familiar trend: Big companies snapping up struggling startups to fast-track innovation, much like Google did with Fitbit and Amazon with Ring.

For HP, CosmOS could be a game-changer if integrated well. Some analysts believe it might power upcoming AI assistants or wearables, but others remain skeptical. As Carolina Milanesi put it: “The AI Pin failed because it didn’t solve a real user problem. HP needs to turn CosmOS into something useful, or this will just be another expensive experiment.”

The AI Pin’s Legacy

The AI Pin itself may be dead, but its technology isn’t. With HP’s resources and reach, some of Humane’s ideas might finally see the light of day—just in a different form. Whether that leads to a breakthrough or just another forgettable AI gadget remains to be seen.

One thing’s for sure: No matter how futuristic an idea sounds, execution and timing are everything.