Humane co-founders Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri. Image Credits:<\/strong> Humane<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Humane says that it\u2019s partnering with SK Networks and Microsoft to bring its platform and services to market, with Microsoft supplying the cloud processing power and SK Networks handling distribution. Meanwhile, Humane\u2019s collaborating with OpenAI to integrate its tech into the startup\u2019s device \u2014 whatever form it ends up taking, exactly. LG, for its part, is working with Humane on R&D projects for the next phase of its product lifecycle as well as adapting Humane\u2019s tech for smart home devices. And Volvo\u2019s teaming up with Humane on a potential automotive industry offering.<\/p>\n

Qualcomm is also a partner, Chaudhri says, which would make sense if the aforementioned patent is anything to go by. In addition to the laser projection system, the patent diagrams show a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip paired with a camera, 3D camera, depth sensor, heart rate sensor and a wearable battery.<\/p>\n

If that all sounds rather vague, it is<\/em>, from the caveated language (e.g. \u201cpotential automotive industry offering\u201d) to the lack of concrete practical details. Is the collaboration with OpenAI merely a customer-vendor relationship or something deeper, given Altman\u2019s personal involvement? How could Humane\u2019s tech find a fit both in the smart home and automotive spaces?<\/p>\n

Beyond asserting that Humane is focused on \u201ctrust and privacy from day zero,\u201d the company isn\u2019t saying. Chaudhri emphasized, repeatedly, Humane\u2019s investment in AI.<\/p>\n

\u201cAI can have a transformative impact on most aspects of our everyday lives, but it does require a large amount of data to do so,\u201d she said. \u201cWe are effectively building devices and platforms for a new era, which means an ongoing process of development and redevelopment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Call me cynical, but I\u2019m wary of startups with huge war chests of capital but no commercialized product to speak of.<\/p>\n