Iyo CEO Jason Rugalo debuted the Iyo One, a wearable computer, at the TED conference, aiming to enter the AI era and avoid the mistakes made by other companies like Humane. The Iyo One is a wearable device that features two large earbuds capable of enhancing real-world sounds and responding to voice queries. It packs a lot of hardware, including 10 microphones, into metallic discs that sit on the user's ears. Iyo is accepting deposits for the product, with the Wi-Fi version priced at $599 and the cellular-equipped version estimated at $699.

Rugalo believes that AI models are advancing, paving the way for a wearable computer with a voice-controlled interface that can act as a therapist, coach, and tutor. Iyo was spun out of Alphabet's X moonshot and has raised $21 million in funding. While developing a peripheral device that relies on a smartphone might be easier, Rugalo believes it would limit the possibilities of building a new kind of computer. The Iyo One is set to ship this winter.