Summary:
Harvard dropout Avi Schiffmann created Friend, an AI device designed to combat loneliness.
Friend is a $99 necklace that connects to your phone and constantly listens to you.
It can send you text-based responses to your messages and proactively send messages like good luck wishes.
Schiffmann believes that the physical presence of the device makes it easier to form an emotional connection with AI.
Friend is not intended to be a therapist or a work assistant, but simply an AI companion.
AI Hardware: A Mixed Bag
AI hardware is all the rage in startup land, but the reception has been mixed. Devices like Rabbit and Humane haven't quite lived up to the hype. However, companies like a16z-backed Limitless and Exor-backed Bee AI are still developing their own screenless AI wearables.
Friend: An AI Companion for Your Neck
Avi Schiffmann, a Harvard dropout known for building a website tracking COVID-19, has created an AI device called Friend. As the name suggests, this neck-worn device is designed to be a companion.
Schiffmann raised $2.5 million in funding from investors like Caffeinated Capital's Raymond Tonsing, Z Fellows founder Cory Levy, and Solana founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal.
The basic white version of Friend is priced at $99 and will start shipping in January 2025.
How Friend Works
Friend connects to your phone via Bluetooth and constantly listens to you, aiming to combat loneliness. You can talk to the device through a walkie-talkie button and receive text-based responses in an app. It can also proactively send messages, like wishing you good luck before an interview.
Schiffmann believes that the physical presence of the device makes it easier to connect emotionally with an AI companion than a simple app. He compares Friend to emotional toys like Replika or Character AI.
AI Friend, Not a Therapist
Schiffmann emphasizes that Friend is not designed to be a therapist or a work assistant. It's simply an AI friend you can talk to. He sees constant companionship as one of AI's potential killer use cases.
From Tab to Friend
Initially, Schiffmann was developing a $600 pendant called Tab for tracking people and transcribing meetings. However, he pivoted to Friend, offering preorders of Tab the option to switch to Friend or get a refund.
Schiffmann stresses that the device does not store any recordings and users can delete texts anytime.
Friend: A New Approach to AI Companionship?
While AI companions are still a relatively new concept, Friend offers a unique approach by focusing on emotional connection and constant companionship. It remains to be seen how users will respond to this type of AI interaction.
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