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AI computer hardware is all the rage in startup land — though reception have thus far been miscellaneous . Two notable good example , RabbitandHumane , released devices to disappointing results.a16z - backed LimitlessandExor - backed Bee AI , meanwhile , are work on their own screenless AI wearables .
Avi Schiffmann , a Harvard dropout who builta Webby Award - winning internet site that tracks COVID-19 , is working on an AI twist calledFriend . As the name suggests , the cervix - worn gimmick is design to be treated as a companion .
Schiffmann has raised $ 2.5 million in funding at a $ 50 million valuation from investor like Caffeinated Capital ’s Raymond Tonsing , Z Fellows founder Cory Levy , Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas , Solana founder Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal , Morning Brew CEO and co - founder Austin Rief , Jordan Singer , who solve on AI efforts at Figma , and Google senior product director Logan Kilpatrick .
The company aver today it will start takingpreorders of its basic bloodless variation , which is priced at $ 99 and require to send in January 2025 .
Product
Rather than focusing on productivity , the equipment is just a thin layer that connects to your telephone via Bluetooth and constantly listens to you , in a bid to combat loneliness .
you’re able to beg on the walkie - talkie release on the hardware and talk to the equipment . It will transport you an in - app response to it like a text , and since Friend is listening to you all the time , it also can proactively send a message . For instance , it might wish well you good luck before an interview .
And that ’s about it .
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Schiffmann believes that have a hardware around your neck makes it prosperous to sing to an AI companion rather than just having an app .
“ I would really view the merchandise as like an worked up plaything . I think the only successful use case of large language mannequin is people talk about their day and their feel to tools like Replika or Character AI . But with hardware present tense , I believe it is a better worked up connect , ” Schiffmann told TechCrunch .
AI companion and nothing else
Schiffmann said the gadget is n’t design to be a therapist or aid you at employment . It ’s an AI friend you’re able to tattle to and nothing more . He adds that ceaseless fellowship is one of AI ’s slayer usance cases .
Addressing forlornness was n’t always the goal . Last twelvemonth , Schiffmann set out to create a $ 600 dependent calledTabto help keep track of masses and transcribe meetings . He accept around $ 100,000 in preorders .
Earlier this year , however , he pivoted . The startup is giving Tab preorders the option to preorder Friend — or plainly get a refund .
Schiffmann says that he is run into this position and borrow an “ always mind ” tagline . He clarifies , however , that the company is not salt away any of the recordings and you may select to delete text edition at anytime as well .
