At a time when large language models (LLMs) are gaining widespread attention, companies are increasingly integrating them into various hardware designs. One noteworthy example is Tab, a wearable AI startup that recently secured $1.9 million in seed funding, achieving a reported valuation of nearly $20 million.
Tab aims to revolutionize personal assistance with an AI pendant that you can wear around your neck. This device listens to your daily conversations, offering insights and support similar to what a knowledgeable friend would provide.
Although the technology is not yet available, it has garnered significant interest from the investment community. Prominent venture capital firms and notable figures in the AI sector participated in the funding round, including Caffeinated Capital, Rief Capital, and Solana founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal, as reported by Fast Company.
The Tab AI pendant is part of a growing market of innovative AI hardware, alongside other products such as Humane’s AI Pin and Rabbit’s r1 AI pocket companion.
What Does the Tab AI Pendant Do?
Developed by Avi Schiffmann, a Harvard dropout known for creating platforms for COVID tracking and aiding Ukrainians in finding shelter homes, the Tab pendant captures your conversations—albeit in low quality—whether with friends or colleagues. Through Bluetooth, the audio is transmitted to your smartphone and uploaded to the cloud, where ChatGPT transcribes and analyzes the content, providing various insights via a mobile app.
"Tab is your super intelligent sidekick. Whether you're brainstorming or feeling low, Tab understands you and is ready to offer ideas or encouragement. Together, you'll unlock your full potential," Schiffmann shared in an X post.
While Schiffmann is optimistic about the technology's future, he clarifies that it is not intended to serve as a traditional work assistant. Instead, it functions more like a "super-intelligent" friend, therapist, or coach, available around the clock to capture behaviors and deliver relevant insights and support.
"This kind of companionship will be far more significant than 'AI GFs' and will genuinely enhance people’s life trajectories. This is AI for the masses," he emphasized in another post.
The technology has been in development for over a year, and a prototype resembles a miniaturized version of Google Nest. Pre-orders are currently available at $600 per unit, with shipping expected in the second half of 2024.
Do We Need It?
While the concept of an AI companion that assists with daily life is appealing, potential concerns arise regarding the recording of personal conversations. The success of the Tab pendant largely hinges on people's willingness to wear it continuously and accept that their discussions will be captured for AI analysis. Additionally, individuals conversing with Tab users may not be comfortable knowing they are being recorded.
Schiffmann asserts that the company will not store or share the captured information and will provide a button for users to deactivate the device at any time. However, how effectively he can encourage adoption of the Tab remains to be seen. Parallels can be drawn to the early days of camera phones, where initial concerns about privacy have transitioned into the normalization of video sharing on platforms like TikTok.
The pressing question: Can Tab make always-on AI companionship a reality?
Tab is not alone in the burgeoning AI hardware space. While it focuses on audio-based ambient computing, other devices aim to replace smartphones altogether. Recently, Rabbit introduced its voice-activated r1, a device powered by Large Action Models that simplifies tasks ranging from information searches to virtual grocery shopping, learning user behaviors across different platforms.
Meanwhile, Meta is also developing smart glasses, and the Humane AI Pin—a gesture- and voice-controlled wearable—will be shipping in March, further expanding the range of alternatives to traditional smartphones.
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