HP to acquire assets from ‘Ai Pin’ maker Humane in $116M deal

HP Inc. today announced that it had entered a definitive agreement to acquire assets from Humane Inc., the maker of an artificial intelligence-powered smart pin, for $116 million.

Humane first burst onto the AI scene in November 2023 with the launch of a device known as the “Ai Pin” that sold for $699. The device (pictured), which was worn by users similar to a brooch, was pitched as a smartphone substitute where the user could interact with the device using voice commands. Instead of a screen, the Ai Pin featured a miniature laser projector that can display information such as the time on a user’s hand.

If the idea sounds abstract, it’s because it was – there’s nothing the device could do that most smartphones couldn’t – even the projection feature can be found in some Chinese Android smartphones. Thrown into the mix is that along with the $699 purchase price, the device also required a $24 per month subscription.  The reviews for the Ai Pin were not good, with it being described as clunky, limited and not even close.

With its only product and core offering not being well received, Humane was first reported to be looking for a buyer in May 2024. Reports at the time said it was chasing a valuation of up to $1 billion.

Fast-forward to February 2025 and HP is now acquiring key AI capabilities from Humane, including their AI-powered platform Cosmos, highly skilled technical talent and intellectual property with more than 300 patents and patent applications. The acquisition is being pitched as helping advance HP’s transformation into a more experience-led company.

Notably, HP is not acquiring the Ai Pin, but some of the technology used to power it.

“This investment will rapidly accelerate our ability to develop a new generation of devices that seamlessly orchestrate AI requests both locally and in the cloud,” said Tuan Tran, president of Technology and Innovation at HP, in a statement. “Humane’s AI platform Cosmos, backed by an incredible group of engineers, will help us create an intelligent ecosystem across all HP devices, from AI PCs to smart printers and connected conference rooms. This will unlock new levels of functionality for our customers and deliver on the promises of AI.”

Under the deal, a group of Humane engineers, architects and product innovators is joining HP’s Technology and Innovation organization. The incoming Humane employees will form a new group within HP called HP IQ, an AI innovation lab focused on building an intelligent ecosystem across HP’s products and services for the future of work.

It’s not clear what parts of Humane are left or whether the company will continue to trade now that it has sold off its core technology. However, the days of the Ai Pin are numbered, with the company saying that the devices will lose all access to Humane’s servers and other features such as calling, messaging and AI queries from Feb. 28.

Coming into the technology and talent acquisition, Humane had raised $230 million in venture capital funding over three rounds. Investors in the company included Kindred Ventures, LG Technology Ventures, Socium Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, Valia, Forerunner Ventures, Tiger Global Management, Hico Capital, Microsoft Corp., Volvo Cars AB, Top Tier Capital Partners and Hudson Bay Capital LP.

Photo: Humane