Home Humane AI pin disaster continues as $1 million worth of goods returned

Humane AI pin disaster continues as $1 million worth of goods returned

TL:DR

  • Humane Inc's AI Pin faced high return rates, with over $1 million worth of units returned since April.
  • More AI Pins were returned than purchased between May and August, leaving only about 7,000 units sold.
  • Despite raising over $200 million, the startup's sales are far below its target of 100,000 units in the first year.

Humane Inc has reportedly reached $1 million in total returns of its AI Pin which was only released in April.

The artificial intelligence startup has had a rough ride since launching its product earlier this year when reviewers slammed the product. Prominent tech vlogger Marques Brownlee even went as far as to call the $699 device “the worst product I’ve ever reviewed“. Now, the product’s return statistics are coming out and things are getting even bleaker for the San Francisco-based company.

According to the Verge, who say they’ve obtained internal sales data, more AI Pins were returned than purchased between May and August.

“By June, only around 8,000 units hadn’t been returned, a source with direct knowledge of sales and return data told me.

“As of today, the number of units still in customers’ hands had fallen closer to 7,000, a source with direct knowledge said.”

The lifetime sales thus far for Humane’s AI Pin is believed to be just over $9 million, but more than $1 million worth of product is said to have been returned.

This low figure is even worse when you remember that the startup had raised over $200 million from notable Silicon Valley executives. Apparently, around 10,000 Pins and accessories have been shipped in total which pales against the 100,000 that Humane wished to do within the first year.

Humane responds to report claims

Humane Inc has responded to the Verge. Zoe Cuccias, a spokesperson for the company, said there were inaccuracies in the publisher’s reporting, “including the financial data.”

The Verge said: “When pressed about the specifics of those inaccuracies, Cuccias said ‘we have nothing else to provide as we do not comment on financial data, and will refer it to our legal counsel.’”

The spokesperson also said: “We knew we were at the starting line, not the finish line,” and said the company has since released several software updates to “address user feedback.”

Featured Image: Via Humane on X

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Sophie Atkinson
Tech Journalist

Sophie Atkinson is a UK-based journalist and content writer, as well as a founder of a content agency which focuses on storytelling through social media marketing. She kicked off her career with a Print Futures Award which champions young talent working in print, paper and publishing. Heading straight into a regional newsroom, after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, Sophie started by working for Reach PLC. Now, with five years experience in journalism and many more in content marketing, Sophie works as a freelance writer and marketer. Her areas of specialty span a wide range, including technology, business,…

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