Friend’s $99 Necklace Leverages AI Technology to Help Fight Loneliness

AI hardware is currently a hot topic in the startup ecosystem, although reactions have been lukewarm. Two prominent players, Rabbit and Humane, launched their devices but faced disappointing outcomes. In contrast, a16z-supported Limitless and Exor-backed Bee AI are developing their own innovative screenless AI wearables.

Avi Schiffmann, a Harvard dropout and creator of a Webby Award-winning website that tracks COVID-19, is now focused on an AI device called Friend. As the name implies, this neck-worn device is designed to serve as a personal companion.

To date, Schiffmann has secured $2.5 million in funding, achieving a $50 million valuation with contributions from investors including Caffeinated Capital’s Raymond Tonsing, Z Fellows founder Cory Levy, Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas, Solana founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal, Morning Brew CEO Austin Rief, Jordan Singer from Figma, and Google’s senior product manager, Logan Kilpatrick. The company announced that preorders for its basic white version will soon be available at a price of $99, with shipments expected in January 2025.

Product Overview

This device prioritizes emotional connection over productivity. It functions as a lightweight accessory that pairs with your phone via Bluetooth, constantly listening in an effort to alleviate feelings of loneliness. Users can engage with the device by pressing a walkie-talkie button to communicate, receiving text-based responses through the app. Because Friend is always listening, it can also send proactive messages—like wishing you good luck before a big interview.

According to Schiffmann, wearing the device around your neck makes it easier to interact with an AI companion than simply relying on an app. “I envision the product as an emotional toy. The most successful applications of large language models involve people sharing their daily experiences and feelings with tools like Replika or Character AI. The addition of hardware fosters a stronger emotional connection,” Schiffmann explained.

AI Companion, Not a Therapist

Importantly, Schiffmann notes that this device isn’t intended to act as a therapist or assist with work-related tasks. Instead, it serves as a consistent AI friend for conversation. He believes that this type of companionship represents one of the most compelling use cases for AI technology.

Interestingly, the focus on combating loneliness was not the initial goal. Initially, Schiffmann aimed to create a $600 pendant called Tab designed for tracking individuals and transcribing meetings, garnering approximately $100,000 in preorders.

Earlier this year, he pivoted his strategy and now offers existing Tab preorder customers the choice to transition to preordering Friend or to simply receive a refund. Emphasizing the device's capabilities, Schiffmann has adopted the tagline "always listening," while assuring users that their recordings are not stored and text messages can be deleted at any time.