To avoid confusion, Shevchenko renamed his device Omi.
Omi, the latest AI wearable launched by San Francisco startup Based Hardware, made waves at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January 2025.
Designed to boost productivity, Omi is a small device that can be worn as a necklace or attached to the side of your head using a “brain interface”.
Users activate the AI assistant simply by saying, “Hey Omi”.
But what exactly is Omi, and how does it stand out in the increasingly crowded field of AI devices?
Let’s delve into the origins of Omi, its features, how it works, and what makes it different from other AI wearables.
Omi’s Origin
Omi’s journey to the CES stage wasn’t without drama.
Based Hardware’s founder, Nik Shevchenko, originally marketed the device as “Friend” on Kickstarter.
However, things took a turn when another San Francisco hardware maker launched a product with the same name and purchased the domain for $1.8 million (£1.4 million).
To avoid confusion, Shevchenko renamed his device Omi.
Shevchenko, a Thiel fellow known for his unconventional marketing stunts, is positioning Omi as a complementary device aimed at improving productivity rather than as a smartphone replacement.
Unlike earlier AI wearables such as Rabbit, Humane, and Ray-Ban Meta, which promised to revolutionise consumer tech but failed to live up to the hype, Omi focuses on practical functionality.
How does Omi Work?
At first glance, Omi looks like a large button or a tiny orb—resembling something you might find in a pack of Mentos.
The consumer version costs $89 (£70) and will start shipping in Q2 of 2025. For developers eager to get their hands on it sooner, a developer version is available now for around $70 (£55).
Omi offers two primary ways to interact with it:
- Worn as a Necklace: Users can talk to Omi by using the wake word “Hey Omi”.
- Brain Interface: By attaching Omi to the side of their head with medical tape, users can activate the device through focused thoughts, without saying a word.
Watch a Demonstration
Features & Capabilities
Omi’s primary function is to act as a productivity assistant. Based Hardware claims that the device can:
- Answer questions in real time.
- Summarise conversations.
- Create to-do lists.
- Help schedule meetings.
Omi constantly listens and processes conversations through the GPT-4o model, which allows it to remember context and provide personalised advice.
Privacy concerns are addressed by offering an open-source platform where users can choose to store their data locally or review how it’s processed.
One of the device’s standout features is its open-source app store, which already hosts over 250 apps developed by third-party developers.
This flexibility allows users to customise their experience and use the AI model of their choice.
Privacy & Data Security
Given that Omi is always listening, privacy is a significant concern for potential users.
Shevchenko assures that transparency is a core part of the device’s design.
The open-source nature of Omi’s software allows users to monitor how their data is handled and even store it locally if they prefer.
For those concerned about the device’s constant listening capabilities, the ability to delete all stored data with a single click is a welcome feature.
Marketing & Funding
Based Hardware has raised approximately $700,000 (£565,000) in funding so far. A significant portion of that was spent on promotional videos shot in Los Angeles.
Shevchenko, who helped direct the videos, remains confident in his marketing strategy.
He believes building a strong user base is crucial for Omi’s success.
Shevchenko said: “For us, the user base is actually the core driver of the product itself.
“The more people that know about us, the better the product becomes because we are built on this open-source platform.”
The startup is currently in talks to raise more capital following the CES launch.
Competing in a Crowded AI Wearable Market
The wearable AI market has seen a surge in recent years, with devices like Rabbit, Friend, Humane, and Ray-Ban Meta promising to redefine how people interact with technology.
However, none of these devices have fully delivered on their ambitious promises.
Omi is taking a different approach by focusing on a straightforward use case—boosting productivity rather than attempting to replace smartphones entirely.
It’s a bold strategy in a market where consumers are increasingly wary of overhyped technology.
Omi’s ability to blend AI functionality with customisable features may be its key to standing out.
The first batch of Omi devices is set to be released in the second quarter of 2025.
Based Hardware has made the development documents for Omi available to the public, encouraging tech-savvy users to build their own versions.
However, the team cautions that assembling the device requires advanced knowledge of soldering and PCBs.
On social media, Shevchenko has hinted at the team’s long-term vision: developing a device that can fully read users’ minds.
While that goal may still be far off, Omi’s initial focus on simple, practical functions could help it build a loyal user base.
Omi is an ambitious device that offers a glimpse into the future of AI wearables.
By focusing on productivity and providing an open-source platform, Based Hardware is positioning Omi as a practical tool rather than a flashy gadget.
Whether the brain interface technology will live up to expectations remains to be seen, but for now, Omi stands out as one of the most intriguing devices to come out of CES 2025.
With its official release just months away, Omi could redefine how people interact with AI in their everyday lives—one command (or thought) at a time.
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