Midjourney, the popular AI image generation service, has officially announced its foray into hardware devices. The company’s official Twitter account revealed the news, inviting interested individuals to join the new hardware team in San Francisco. While details about the specific devices are scarce, the company’s founder and leader, David Holz, provided some hints about Midjourney’s hardware ambitions.
One clue is the hiring of Ahmad Abbas, the former Hardware Engineering Manager of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, who will lead Midjourney’s hardware division. Abbas had previously worked with Holz at Leap Motion. Additionally, Midjourney confirmed that its device would not be a pendant, as it aims to create a device that allows users to go “inside of” it. This suggests a unique form factor that goes beyond wearables.
Despite facing increased competition in the AI model space, Midjourney is taking steps to stay ahead. The company recently updated its web interface, making it more user-friendly and accessible to all users. It also addressed an ongoing class-action lawsuit by updating its data scraping practices to avoid copyright infringement claims.
Although the success of AI-powered hardware devices remains uncertain, Midjourney’s move into hardware comes at a time when other startups in the space have struggled. Startups like Rabbit and Humane have failed to gain traction with their AI-powered devices, facing more returns than sales. Even established companies like Meta and Snapchat have struggled to convince consumers to invest in dedicated hardware like augmented reality glasses.
However, the AI hardware space is set to become more interesting with the involvement of industry leaders. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is reportedly collaborating with former Apple designer Jony Ive to develop new AI hardware. This indicates that there is still potential for innovation and success in the AI hardware market.
In conclusion, Midjourney’s entry into the hardware space marks an exciting development for the company. While the specifics of their devices remain unknown, the company’s focus on unique form factors and the hiring of experienced individuals suggests they are aiming for innovation. As the AI hardware market becomes more competitive, Midjourney will need to differentiate itself and deliver a compelling product that captures consumer interest. Only time will tell if Midjourney’s hardware venture will be a success, but with industry leaders like Altman and Ive also exploring the space, the future of AI hardware looks promising.