Amazon may have found its equivalent of Fitbit. The tech behemoth has recently obtained Bee, a startup recognized for its $50 AI wearable device. Bee’s co-founder and CEO, Maria de Lourdes Zollo, announced the update on LinkedIn, and Amazon verified the acquisition to TechCrunch, indicating that the arrangement is still in the process of being completed. Financial specifics have not been revealed.
Bee’s website now includes a statement: “Bee is joining Amazon! We are incredibly thankful to our customers and community, and we are eager to continue our journey with you.”
Bee manufactures a $50, screen-less, always-on, AI-driven wearable microphone that can be worn on the wrist or attached to clothing. It resembles a Fitbit fitness tracker but is designed to listen continuously (unless silenced) and collect data on tasks, habits, and connections. This information is utilized to create to-do lists and daily summaries in a mobile application.
There are fascinating consequences stemming from this acquisition. Amazon might be delving into wearables and portable AI companions, which have mainly been limited to home environments with Alexa devices. Nonetheless, concerns regarding privacy emerge as these devices are created to constantly listen, which could present privacy risks.
Bee’s regulations specify that no audio data is retained on servers, and users have the option to remove their data. Amazon’s plans for Bee remain ambiguous, but Echo devices have recently ceased supporting local storage, and Ring has encountered privacy-related issues.
Despite backing from corporations such as Amazon and OpenAI in AI devices, this product segment has had difficulty resonating with consumers. Notable flops like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI pin, which were expensive, contrast with Bee’s low-cost $50 gadget, implying Bee could thrive where others have faltered. Silicon Valley is still actively investigating this area.
In a LinkedIn update, Zollo conveyed her enthusiasm about becoming part of Amazon, stating, “When we initiated Bee, we envisioned a world where AI is genuinely personal, where technology that learns with you understands and enhances your life. What started as a dream with an extraordinary team and community now finds a fresh home at Amazon.”