Cat‑Shaped AI Wearable Camera Promises Lifelong Lifelogging
Key Points
- Qualcomm’s W5 Gen 2 chip powers the Looki L1 wearable camera.
- Designed to look like a cat, the device features a 12‑megapixel Sony sensor.
- Captures 4K photos and 1080p video at 30 fps with image stabilization.
- Voice‑activated AI integration lets users interact with ChatGPT on the go.
- Companion app organizes footage into story‑like chapters and can create themed short films.
- Weighs 30 g, offers a 12‑hour battery, and signals charge level with colored leg lights.
- Priced at $199 with three free months of a $10‑per‑month prime membership.
- Privacy concerns are acknowledged but the device focuses on lifelogging and creative storytelling.
Qualcomm’s new W5 Gen 2 chipset has enabled the Looki L1, a cat‑inspired wearable camera that records photos, video and audio throughout the day. The device, demonstrated by Dino Bekis at the Snapdragon Summit, features a 12‑megapixel Sony sensor, 4K photo capture, 1080p video at 30fps, and voice‑activated AI integration with ChatGPT. Its companion app organizes footage into story‑like chapters and can generate short themed films. Weighing 30 g with a 12‑hour battery, the Looki L1 aims to blend playful design with practical lifelogging, though privacy concerns remain.
Background
Advances in artificial intelligence have opened new possibilities for wearable technology beyond smartwatches and glasses. Qualcomm’s recent launch of the W5 Gen 2 chip, highlighted at the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii, provided the processing power needed for more ambitious devices. Dino Bekis, who runs Qualcomm’s wearables business, highlighted the Looki L1 as a prime example of this next‑generation hardware in action.
Device Features
The Looki L1 is a lifelogging camera that hangs around the user’s neck. Its design resembles a cat, complete with an oval face, ears and legs. Inside, a 12‑megapixel Sony sensor offers image stabilization and automatic HDR, enabling 4K photos and 1080p video at 30 fps with a wide field of view. The device can be activated via side buttons, a gentle stroke across its middle, or voice commands that let users pose questions to ChatGPT without pulling out a phone.
Power is supplied by a 12‑hour battery, signaled by colored lights on the device’s legs—green, yellow or red—when the user taps its tummy. Weighing just 30 g, the Looki L1 is comfortable for all‑day wear, and it includes a clip and cord for secure attachment.
User Experience
Captured content automatically uploads to the Looki companion app, where it is organized into chapters that read like a story. The app can auto‑cut footage into highlight reels and even generate short films based on user prompts about a place, person or mood. The device also provides haptic feedback that resembles purrs, reinforcing its playful cat motif.
Market Perspective
While the Looki L1’s whimsical design and AI capabilities have generated excitement, concerns about privacy and surveillance remain valid. Bekis acknowledged these concerns but emphasized the device’s potential for personal memory keeping and creative storytelling. The Looki L1 is currently available for $199 and includes three free months of a prime membership that otherwise costs $10 per month.