Indian-origin techie unveils wearable AI device that captures every moment: 'Infinite memory of your life'

Advait Paliwal, an Indian-origin techie based in San Francisco, has launched an innovative wearable AI device called Iris, aimed at providing users with what he describes as "infinite memory." The device captures a photograph every minute, storing these images either on the device itself or in the cloud, allowing users to preserve day-to-day moments that may otherwise go unnoticed.

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Paliwal, 21, explained how Iris is designed to not only compile these photos into an organised timeline but also leverages artificial intelligence to generate captions and help users recall forgotten details. A notable feature of the device is its "focus mode," which detects when the wearer becomes distracted and offers gentle reminders to help refocus their attention.

The design of Iris was inspired by the traditional evil eye symbol, a detail Paliwal shared on social media. He developed the device during a two-month AI and hardware accelerator programme at the Augmentation Lab in Cambridge. After completing the programme, he presented Iris at the prestigious MIT Media Lab, where it garnered positive feedback from attendees, many of whom expressed interest in acquiring the device.

Paliwal highlighted the broader potential of Iris, suggesting that it could serve a range of practical purposes. For instance, it could assist healthcare professionals by helping them understand patients' daily routines, or it could enhance safety measures in workplaces by ensuring compliance with regulations. In the context of elderly care, the device could allow caregivers to unobtrusively monitor patients’ well-being.

Despite the positive reception from some quarters, the device has sparked debate online, particularly regarding privacy. While some users were enthusiastic about the concept, others voiced concerns. One person commented, "It’s an interesting concept, but I wouldn’t want to interact with someone wearing this, taking a photo every minute." In response, Paliwal noted that people already "constantly take mental photos."