**Humane’s Ai Pin to Cease Operation Less Than a Year After Introduction**
Humane’s Ai Pin is poised to become outdated, as the company has disclosed its plans to end service for the wearable AI device within a year of its launch. The ambitious initiative has reached an unexpected conclusion, illustrating that a gadget once regarded as groundbreaking is now merely a costly nonfunctional item.
### **Ai Pin Service to Conclude on February 28**
In a message posted on its [support site](https://support.humane.com/hc/en-us/articles/34374173951373-Important-Update-for-Consumer-Ai-Pin-Customers), Humane has confirmed that all Ai Pins will cease to operate in just 10 days. After February 28, the devices will no longer connect to Humane’s servers, effectively making them mostly ineffective. Furthermore, all customer data will be permanently erased, and users are encouraged to save any crucial information prior to the shutdown. Effective immediately, Humane has also halted the sale of the Ai Pin.
“We are reaching out to let you know that, effective immediately, we are phasing out the consumer Ai Pin due to a shift in our business priorities,” the company remarked. “Your involvement has been invaluable to us, and we sincerely appreciate the part you’ve played in our innovation journey.”
Although the Ai Pin will still offer some offline features, such as showing battery levels, its main functionalities—including AI-driven voice commands and feedback—will no longer be operational. Humane has also stated that customer support for the device will end on February 28.
### **Refunds Offered to Select Customers**
Customers who acquired an Ai Pin in recent months may qualify for a refund. Per [Humane’s FAQ](https://support.humane.com/hc/en-us/articles/34243204841997-Ai-Pin-Consumers-FAQ), devices shipped on or prior to November 15 are still within the 90-day return period. However, refund requests need to be filed by February 27.
For customers who have ordered an Ai Pin but have not yet received it, these orders will be automatically canceled, and refunds will be processed. Additionally, Humane’s compulsory subscriptions will be terminated, with prepaid months refunded accordingly.
Regrettably, those who have had their Ai Pin for over 90 days will not qualify for a refund. Humane has advised customers to recycle their devices through an [e-waste recycling initiative](https://mashable.com/feature/how-to-recycle-ewaste).
### **HP Purchases Humane’s AI Technology**
The discontinuation of the Ai Pin appears to be associated with HP’s recent acquisition of Humane’s vital AI technologies. HP has obtained Humane’s AI-powered operating system, CosmOS, along with several intellectual properties and technical staff, for $116 million. These employees will now join HP’s new AI innovation lab, HP IQ.
“Humane’s AI platform Cosmos, supported by an exceptional team of engineers, will assist us in creating a smart ecosystem across all HP devices, from AI PCs to intelligent printers and connected conference rooms,” stated Tuan Tran, HP’s President of Technology and Innovation.
### **A Rocky Path from the Beginning**
The demise of the Ai Pin may appear abrupt, but it has faced challenges from the outset. First announced for [preorder in November 2023](https://mashable.com/article/humane-launches-ai-pin-screenless-wearable-powered-openai), the $699 wearable aimed to replace smartphones, showcasing features like photography, messaging, and AI-driven responses. Instead of a screen, it utilized a compact palm projector and was mainly operated via voice commands.
Nonetheless, issues arose even prior to the product’s debut. A promotional video revealed the Ai Pin [providing inaccurate answers](https://mashable.com/article/humane-ai-pin-wrong-answers), leading Humane to modify the footage. Once customers received their devices in April, additional problems became noticeable, including sluggish performance, an unreadable projector display, overheating, and malfunctioning music playback.
The device’s troubles escalated in June when its [charging case was identified as a fire risk](https://mashable.com/article/humane-ai-pin-charging-case-fire-hazard), prompting a recall. Initially, replacements were offered, but with today’s announcement, the company will now provide refunds for the cost of the charging case instead.
By October, reports indicated that [customers were returning the Ai Pin faster than Humane could sell them](https://mashable.com/article/humane-ai-pin-returns), prompting the company to reduce its price to $499. Simultaneously, Humane reportedly [began seeking a buyer](https://mashable.com/article/humane-ai-pin-selling), aiming for a sale price between $750 million and $1 billion. However, its $116 million agreement with HP falls significantly short of that target.