Humane AI – Pico Laser Projection – AI Twist on an Old Scam (2023)

Scope of Criticism: “Scam” vs Bad v1 Product

• Many object to calling Humane a “scam,” arguing there’s no clear evidence of malicious intent; they see it as overhyped, poorly executed hardware and product strategy.
• Others say knowingly overselling capabilities (e.g., projections that violate basic physics, glossy promos that don’t match reality) is scam-like, even if some functionality exists.
• Comparisons are made to Theranos (hard physical limits ignored), Magic Leap, Juicero, and overhyped Segway/Google Glass launches.

Projection Tech & Physics Constraints

• Pico projectors and laser-on-skin concepts are described as old, repeatedly unsuccessful ideas; physics (brightness, safety limits, contrast on skin) is a hard constraint.
• Class‑2 laser power (≈1 mW) is seen as inherently too dim for outdoor use; reviewers cited in the thread describe the projector as nearly useless in daylight.
• Monochrome cyan, limited grayscale, small image size, and distortion on curved skin further reduce usability.

Usability, Reviews, and Product-Market Fit

• Hands-on reviews summarized in the thread label the device slow, hot, battery-limited, and essentially “useless,” despite decent industrial design.
• Voice as primary input, awkward gestures, no real screen, and separate number/subscription are seen as worse than just using a phone or smartwatch.
• Some see potential if repositioned as a phone peripheral, opened to apps, or bundled with AR glasses; a few would consider a more mature gen‑2.

Marketing, Hype, and Public Backlash

• Humane is criticized for “cosplaying Apple”: black-turtleneck aesthetics, lofty rhetoric about revolution and magic, but no grounded use case or ecosystem.
• The intense pile-on is debated: some call it mob mentality; others say skepticism was building for years and was validated when reality arrived.
• There’s broader concern that overhyped AI hardware poisons the well for more modest, useful AI devices.

VC Incentives and Startup Culture

• Several comments frame this as a VC-facing “moonshot” pitch culture: founders must promise the impossible to get funding, then ship whatever is feasible.
• Some argue this “fake it till you make it” ethos blurs the line between ambitious vision and scam, and is now normalized in tech.

Alternatives and Broader Tech Context

• Multiple posts note existing devices (smartphones, smartwatches, earables) could handle most “AI assistant” functions without dubious projection.
• Some speculate more plausible futures: AR glasses or even brain–computer interfaces before truly practical palm projection.