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Ask HN: Why hasn't anyone tried building an AI wearable wristband?

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Ask HN: Why hasn't anyone tried building an AI wearable wristband?

#1

Post by slymersonn »

Over the past few months, we've seen a couple of consumer hardware startups come out with their take on what an "AI wearable" will look like. For example, the Humane Pin, Rewind Pendant, Brilliant Labs Glasses, Avi's Tab (Necklace), etc.

However, no one has tried making an AI wearable wrist device that isn't a smartwatch. I'm envisioning a wristband with no screen that is used as a device that passively listens to your conversations and gathers context (but doesn't store your recordings). I imagine this being paired with your phone so that the AI can proactively send you notifications regarding what you've talked about, almost like having a second companion always there, ready to help. This would be super cool to have as a student in a classroom because then I can have my personal AI help me study after!

This sounds cool to me, but I'm not an engineer, so I don't know why no one has attempted this. What are the hardware or software blockers preventing this from happening? Has it not been done due to engineering constraints or is it because it's a stupid idea?

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't anyone tried building an AI wearable wristband?

#5

Post by Someone »

> I'm envisioning a wristband with no screen that is used as a device that passively listens to your conversations

How do you make it reliably listen to your conversations give that you may move your hands around, wear a shirt or jacket covering it, have them below a table, etc?

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't anyone tried building an AI wearable wristband?

#6

Post by JohnFen »

hitpointdrew wrote: post #4

> I'm envisioning a wristband with no screen that is used as a device that passively listens to your conversations Yikes... > but doesn't store your recordings Still, yikes!

This line made me think about a future where people have and use these kinds of things. It would mean that I could no longer really engage in conversations with people without vetting them first to know if they're doing this sort of thing.

I'm not sure how to navigate such a world.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't anyone tried building an AI wearable wristband?

#7

Post by slymersonn »

Someone wrote: post #5

> I'm envisioning a wristband with no screen that is used as a device that passively listens to your conversations How do you make it reliably listen to your conversations give that you may move your hands around, wear a shirt or jacket covering it, have them below a table, etc?

not sure. however, my best guess would be to have the best mic(s) on the market for a wearable, so that it can pick up on voice crisply, and then just go on about your day and see what context the AI extracts throughout the day.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't anyone tried building an AI wearable wristband?

#8

Post by slymersonn »

JohnFen wrote: post #6
hitpointdrew wrote: post #4

> I'm envisioning a wristband with no screen that is used as a device that passively listens to your conversations Yikes... > but doesn't store your recordings Still, yikes!

This line made me think about a future where people have and use these kinds of things. It would mean that I could no longer really engage in conversations with people without vetting them first to know if they're doing this sort of thing. I'm not sure how to navigate such a world.

i genuinely believe its the world we're heading into. privacy is practically dead, and i think if the device has enough utility, people won't give a shit about it listening to you (look at TikTok). plus, with proper marketing, you can show that the recordings aren't being stored.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't anyone tried building an AI wearable wristband?

#10

Post by slymersonn »

mtmail wrote: post #3

Batteries are not flexible to go around your arm. Maybe it's hard to use a dozen batteries connected together? And if the battery is all in one spot then it would look like a watch anyway. Though without a screen it would be smaller.

yeah maybe. although i think of WHOOP and i see that they designed a beautiful wristband. wonder what the hardware is beneath it...
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