The San Francisco-based startup, Based Hardware, unveiled its new AI wearable, Omi, aimed at enhancing productivity during this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
This innovative device can be worn as a necklace, and users can activate Omi’s AI assistant by saying “Hey Omi.” The startup also asserts that Omi can be attached to the side of the head with medical tape, utilising a “brain interface” to detect when a user is speaking to it.
Nik Shevchenko, the founder of the startup, initially marketed this product on Kickstarter under the name “Friend.” However, he changed the name after another San Francisco hardware company launched a similar device called Friend and acquired the domain name for $1.8 million.
In recent times, we have witnessed a surge in devices that prioritise AI as the primary interface. Rabbit debuted at last year’s CES and garnered significant attention as a possible smartphone alternative. Other AI devices released in recent years, such as Humane, Friend, and Ray-Ban Metas, aimed to reshape the consumer hardware landscape. However, none have managed to meet the lofty expectations set during their announcements.
Shevchenko, a Thiel fellow known for his attention-grabbing initiatives, is adopting a different strategy with Omi. Rather than positioning the device as a replacement for a smartphone or a standalone AI companion, he envisions Omi as an accessory to enhance productivity alongside phones.
The Omi device features a compact, spherical design reminiscent of a Mentos candy. The consumer version is priced at £89 and is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2025. Alternatively, a developer version is available for immediate purchase at approximately £70.
According to Based Hardware, the Omi device can respond to inquiries, summarise discussions, generate task lists, and assist in organising meetings. It continuously listens, processing user conversations through GPT-4o, and retains contextual knowledge about individual users to provide tailored recommendations.
In an interview with StartupSuperb, Shevchenko acknowledged potential privacy issues stemming from a device that is always in listening mode. To address these concerns, Omi is built on an open-source platform, allowing users to monitor their data flow and opt for local data storage.
This open-source framework also permits developers to create personalised applications or leverage the AI model of their preference. Shevchenko noted that over 250 applications have already been developed for Omi’s app store.
Based Hardware has reportedly secured approximately £700,000 in funding, with Shevchenko investing £150,000 in promotional videos filmed in Los Angeles. He took an active role in directing these videos. Talks are underway to secure additional funding following the launch, and Shevchenko remains confident in the marketing expenditure.
“Our user base is fundamental to the product’s core value. The more individuals who engage with us, the better the product becomes, as we are built on this principle,” he remarked.
“We are an open source platform,” stated Shevchenko.
While the effectiveness of Omi’s “brain interface” remains uncertain, the startup is beginning with a straightforward application. Shevchenko aims for the device to discern whether a user is addressing Omi, without the need for specific wake words. (StartupSuperb has not yet had the opportunity to test the device personally.)
During a demonstration provided to StartupSuperb, Shevchenko showcased the brain interface by closing his eyes and inquiring, “Can you tell me about StartupSuperb?” without using any wake words. He focused intently on the device positioned at the side of his head. Subsequently, the device provided an overview of StartupSuperb and explained how the publication would relate to his forthcoming launch.
When Avi Schiffmann introduced Friend last summer, Shevchenko responded with a diss track on X asserting that his device was “the original Friend.” Shevchenko now insists that Omi represents a different kind of product compared to Friend. However, he acknowledges that there is an application in Omi’s app store that performs similarly to Friend.
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