AI-powered wearables, within the type of rings, pendants or pins, have grow to be the most recent tech development. Take the Humane AI Pin or the once-celebrated ‘Buddy’ pendant, which as soon as created a buzz however has now fizzled out. These improvements largely stem from the West, the place AI {hardware} growth is a well-established norm. In India, whereas the keenness for AI wearables stays considerably subdued, there’s a budding curiosity that hints at future progress.
Bengaluru-based AI startup NeoSapien not too long ago acquired funding from angel investor Namita Thapar from Shark Tank India. The startup, based by cousins Dhananjay Yadav and Aryan Yadav, is constructing AI pendants that they name the ‘second mind’. These gadgets are designed to seize and course of data from conversations and permit customers to carry out duties like reserving cabs, drafting emails and way more.
In an unique interview with AIM, Yadav stated, “75% of the world’s knowledge has been created within the final 5 years, but our reminiscence retention price is just 2%.”
By capturing key moments, enhancing each skilled and private interactions, and even analysing emotional cues, NeoSapiens goals to assist customers regain self-awareness and make AI an intuitive a part of on a regular basis life.
Why Isn’t {Hardware} Inbuilt India?
Whereas the imaginative and prescient for NeoSapien is obvious, the journey is way from easy. Dhananjay highlighted a number of challenges concerned in constructing it, significantly in terms of {hardware} growth and adoption in India.
“{Hardware} is tough as a result of you could be like a maniac,” he stated, citing quite a few hurdles that may come up, together with {hardware} failures, software program, and connectivity points.
Highlighting traders’ scepticism, Dhananjay recalled a latest dialog the place an investor bluntly informed him they had been uncertain as a result of no revolutionary {hardware} startup had ever emerged from India.
Furthermore, he famous that many Indian traders hesitate to again {hardware} firms on account of a insecurity, as {hardware} shouldn’t be inbuilt India on the identical scale as in different markets.
Furthermore, Chinese language manufacturers are quickly difficult Indian gamers in wearables, particularly in audio gadgets and premium smartwatches. The manufacturers are utilising their sturdy distribution throughout on-line and offline segments.
In the meantime, Dhananjay additionally identified that {hardware} requires a major upfront funding, making it a high-risk enterprise. “Any deep tech, client tech, or {hardware} firm requires funding. That’s the place you want working capital,” he defined.
He believes that addressing investor scepticism round Indian {hardware} startups requires authorities assist, higher funding mechanisms, and a shift in mindset.
Dhananjay additionally emphasised the necessity for tax incentives and funding initiatives that particularly assist Indian {hardware} innovation, citing examples from industries like area tech and EVs. “Except and till we don’t get it out of India, we’re by no means going to be a deep tech or hardware-first nation,” he stated.
One other key resolution, he believes, is creating Kickstarter-like platforms in India the place customers can assist and pre-order revolutionary {hardware} merchandise. “Individuals within the US again merchandise on Kickstarter. They’re keen to check them out. However in India, we lack such platforms.” In line with him, this cultural hole makes it more durable for Indian {hardware} startups to realize early traction.
With {hardware} posing quite a few challenges, constructing AI wearables is just going to get harder. The Humane AI Pin, constructed by former Apple executives, serves as a reminder that nothing is proof against failure. Regardless of these challenges, some Indian startups have ventured into constructing AI wearables.
Dhananjay stays optimistic that profitable Indian {hardware} startups will steadily change investor notion, proving that authentic innovation can thrive within the nation.
West Continues Constructing
Huge tech firms proceed to stay bullish within the wearable section market. OpenAI not too long ago filed a patent to develop smartwatches, jewelry and wearable cameras.
In a latest episode of All-In Podcast, investor and entrepreneur Naval Ravikant, identified for his early-stage investments in Uber, Twitter, and different notable firms, stated, “Now, I’m constructing a brand new product, and this time, I’m going into {hardware}. I’m simply constructing one thing that I actually need.”
Ravikant reveals that his curiosity stemmed from Elon Musk’s work. “The man could be the Diablo participant and do Doge and run SpaceX and Tesla and [The] Boring [Company] and Neuralink; I imply, it’s extremely spectacular,” he stated.
Regardless of the challenges, startups like NeoSapien, impressed by world visionaries like Musk, are paving the way in which for AI wearables in India. With altering mindsets and elevated assist, India’s {hardware} innovation potential is on a constructive monitor.
The submit Do Indian Founders Construct AI Wearables? appeared first on Analytics India Journal.
