Humane Warns AI Pin Users To Stop Using Charging Case ‘Immediately’—May Combust

Image via Humane

Humane’s AI Pin, the much-anticipated wearable initially billed as the “iPhone killer,” has stoked the flames of users, quite literally. This time, it’s a cause for concern, not just disappointment. The company recently issued an urgent safety warning imploring customers to “immediately” cease using the charging case due to a potential fire risk.

The tech firm, founded by former Apple executives, received a single report from a user who had encountered a charging issue while using a third-party USB-C cable and power source. This prompted Humane to investigate, and it quickly identified a quality control issue with the battery cell itself. The problem, which “may pose a fire safety risk,” seems to stem from faulty battery cells sourced from a third-party vendor.

While there haven’t been any reported fires, Humane doesn’t rule out the possibility. In its email, it tells users: “Out of an abundance of caution, we are reaching out today to ask that you immediately stop using and charging your Charge Case Accessory due to an issue with certain battery cells for the Charge Case Accessory.”

The company has now severed ties with this vendor, and it’s seeking out a new supplier that can meet its quality standards.

The charging case itself is a separate accessory from the AI Pin device and the wired charging base. The AI Pin and its other accessories—such as the Battery Booster and charging pad—are reportedly unaffected as they utilize batteries from different sources.

When it was first unveiled, the $699 AI Pin garnered considerable attention for abandoning the traditional screen to simplify people’s way of life. In its stead was a Laser Ink Display, which allowed this mini projector to transform your hand into a display to pull up essential information literally at your fingertips. It also boasts advanced voice recognition capabilities, powered by OpenAI’s technology, which would allow wearers to ask their device anything, anywhere, using just their voice.

While there’s no official recall or refund for the charging case, Humane is offering two complimentary months of its subscription service—a crucial component for unlocking the AI Pin’s full functionality. It remains unclear whether the company will provide replacement charging cases for affected customers.

[via Mashable, Gadgets360, MacRumors, cover image via Humane]