Amazon unveils new AI wearable device ‘Bee’ at CES

Staff Report: PNN

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas, USA, artificial intelligence (AI) was at the center of almost all technology products. From smart rings, smart screens, smart TVs, to smart pins—AI usage was prominent everywhere. It is in this technology exhibition that Amazon has unveiled a new AI wearable device called ‘Bee’.

This recently acquired device by Amazon can be clipped onto clothing like a pin or worn on the wrist as a bracelet. While ‘Bee’ is primarily designed to record conversations, it also functions as a personal AI assistant. It can record interviews, meetings, or class discussions and analyze the information to create summaries.

Although Amazon already has Alexa as an AI-based virtual assistant, the addition of ‘Bee’ opens up new possibilities for AI devices usable outside the home. While Alexa is primarily used in home-centered smart devices, ‘Bee’ aims to accompany the user in daily life, work, and mobility.

In an interview at CES, ‘Bee’ co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zolo said, “We do not see Alexa as a competitor. Rather, we consider the two as complementary. Alexa understands indoor home life, while Bee helps understand life outside the home. In the future, these two experiences could merge.”

The device analyzes information from services like Gmail, Google Calendar, phone contacts, or Apple Health according to the user’s permission, providing insights into personal habits and routines. Based on this, it can offer task lists, reminders, or necessary advice.

Daniel Rausch, Vice President of Amazon’s Alexa division, said, “‘Bee’ offers a deeply personal and engaging AI experience. In the future, if integrated with Alexa, users will receive even richer services.”

Currently, ‘Bee’ usage is increasing among students, elderly people, and professionals in speech or conversation-based fields. However, for security reasons, while conversations are transcribed, the audio is not stored, which may create limitations for certain professional uses.

A small team based in San Francisco is working on new features and functionalities for ‘Bee’. The company has hinted at further innovations surrounding the device in 2026.

Regarding joining Amazon, Maria de Lourdes Zolo said, “The possibilities are endless. That’s why we are extremely excited to be part of Amazon.”