Recently, artificial intelligence hardware has garnered significant attention in the startup sector, despite mixed reviews for early products like Rabbit and Humane. Amidst this fervor, a new AI device named "Friend" has piqued the interest of investors.
"Friend" was developed by Avi Schiffmann, a Harvard University dropout who previously won a Webby Award for creating a COVID-19 tracking website. This neck-worn device is designed to serve as a companion for users, connecting to their phones via Bluetooth and continuously listening to their voice to alleviate loneliness.
Source: Friend
Schiffmann has raised $2.5 million from several notable investors, valuing the company at $50 million. Investors include Raymond Tonsing from Caffeinated Capital and Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, among others in the tech industry. "Friend" plans to take pre-orders at $99, with shipments expected to begin in January 2025.
Unlike other AI devices, "Friend" does not focus on enhancing productivity but serves as an emotional toy. Users can engage in conversation with the device through a button, receiving in-app responses. Due to its continuous listening feature, the device can also proactively send messages, such as wishing users good luck before an interview.
Source: Friend
Schiffmann believes that a hardware form provides a better emotional connection for users compared to a mere app. He emphasizes that "Friend" is not designed to be a therapist or a work assistant, but simply an AI friend to talk to.
Despite concerns about privacy, Schiffmann assures that the company does not store recordings, and users can delete text records at any time. Whether "Friend" can stand out in the competitive AI hardware market remains to be seen.