Startup Humane Inc. told users to stop using the charging case for its Ai Pin device due to a fire risk, adding more uncertainty to the product's rocky launch.
The company told owners of the device that it identified a “quality issue” with the battery inside the box, which allows users to charge their Ai Pins on the go. Humane said it launched an investigation after receiving a single report of charging issues with the device, which debuted earlier this year.
The problem marks another setback for Humane, a high-profile startup that set out to build a smartphone alternative. Since launching in April, Ai Pin has been criticized by customers and reviewers for its clunky interface and lack of features. After the troubled introduction, the startup reached out to big tech companies and advisory firms in hopes of selling for several hundred million dollars, Bloomberg reported.
The charging case, which works similarly to an AirPods case, is included in the package when a user purchases the Ai Pin for $699 or more. It has also been sold as a standalone accessory for $149. The piece is now marked “sold out” on the Humane website.
“Our investigation determined that the battery supplier no longer met our quality standards and that there is a possibility that certain battery cells supplied by this vendor may pose a fire safety risk,” the company said in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday. “As a result, we immediately disqualified this battery vendor while we work to identify a new supplier to avoid these issues and maintain our high quality standards.”
Humane said users can continue to charge the device with the included home charging base. The company did not say whether it will replace charging cases for Ai Pin owners or how long it would take to find a replacement supplier. It is offering Ai Pin owners two free months of the required monthly subscription in light of the issue.
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