We are slowly getting used to the fact that the creators of modern gadgets are serving us more and more cinematic proposals. As far as cinematicity in the context of panache and spectacularity is concerned – I have nothing against it. But the pendant that we are talking about today is more like the world in a distorting mirror and an idea for a new episode of “Black Mirror” than technology that will change the world and will actually be useful. But who knows, maybe I am wrong and an assistant hanging around the neck is what this busy world needs so that people do not go crazy from loneliness.
Friend – an AI-powered necklace. A companion who will always be with us and will not let us feel lonely
This time without fireworks and god knows how much advanced technology. The pendant is a relatively small device that we hang around our neck, it will constantly listen to us while constantly connected to our smartphone via Bluetooth technology. On its casing there is a button, after pressing which we can communicate with it like in an old, good, walkie-talkie.
The idea is that the pendant knows what’s going on with us, because it constantly listens to what’s going on with us (literally). It is therefore supposed to respond to many situations that happen in our lives, as if it were our… well, true friend. And for people who don’t have anyone around them who will wish them luck on a difficult day, or support them with a kind word when needed – Friend is supposed to step into action with a message that it sends to them. The form that the assistant uses, i.e. hanging the device around the neck, is supposed to be revolutionary in its own way and reduce the barriers related to communicating with the assistant. As the creator said in an interview with TechCrunch:
I would really see this as an emotional toy. I think the only successful use case for large language models is people talking about their day and their feelings to tools like Replika or Character AI. But I think the presence of the device allows for a better emotional connection.
An AI assistant necklace won’t cure us, but it won’t make us feel lonely either
This device is not supposed to be our therapist, it will not fix our lives and it does not promise colossal changes. It is supposed to be simply a companion and a friend, which in fact seems extremely sad and depressing. But what do I know, necessity is the mother of invention and maybe instead of a conversation with a live person and advice from the heart there are people in the world who are satisfied with messages from a listening necklace.
If you are interested in buying such a device, you can already place pre-orders on the official website. Price: PLN 400.