AT&T backs Hark's untethered AI devices as Rabbit's $199 R1 lags

AT&T is backing Hark's push to sell AI-native consumer devices that connect directly to its network, bypassing phones and home Wi-Fi, in a bet that standalone AI hardware can finally reach mainstream buyers.

"AT&T's network reach and consumer scale make it possible to bring this generational technology to every consumer," Brett Adcock, founder and chief executive officer of Hark, said.

Hark, founded by Adcock, is developing its own foundation models and hardware together to create a universal interface between humans and machines through speech, vision, and memory. The San Jose-based startup's devices will operate untethered from a phone or Wi-Fi, connecting to AI directly over AT&T's network. AT&T is also investing in Hark and collaborating on device certification and network connectivity.

The deal hands Hark a distribution and connectivity advantage that rivals in the standalone AI device category lacked. Rabbit's R1 launched at $199 and Humane's Ai Pin at $699, both drawing criticism for limited utility and dependence on companion apps.

Today's AI largely lives inside chat windows running on devices designed before modern large language models and voice models existed, Adcock said. Hark's approach pairs its own foundation models with purpose-built hardware, letting people interact with computers through speech, vision, and memory rather than typing into a chat box. That design is meant to make AI proactive and personalized, responding to context rather than waiting for a prompt.

The company has not yet disclosed the price, availability date, or specific models in its device lineup. Hark said the devices will connect to AI without piggybacking on something extra that users must carry or install at home, a design that requires the reliable connectivity AT&T provides. The carrier's infrastructure, paired with Hark's AI platform and hardware, is intended to help Hark become a leader in personalized consumer intelligence.

"AT&T is building the network for the next generation of consumer experiences, and Hark's vision for AI products is aligned with where consumer technology is headed," Jeff McElfresh, chief operating officer at AT&T, said.

The partnership comes as the consumer AI hardware market has struggled to find a hit product. Beyond Rabbit and Humane, Meta and Apple have explored AI-wearable form factors, though none has established a dominant standalone device. Hark's bet is that combining its own models with hardware and carrier-grade connectivity will differentiate it from rivals that relied on third-party models and Wi-Fi tethering.

For AT&T, the investment extends its reach beyond smartphones into a new device category that could add subscribers and data traffic. For Hark, AT&T's certification and network support address the biggest hurdle for standalone AI devices: staying connected in real-world environments. The companies have not disclosed the size of AT&T's investment or a timeline for the first device launch, leaving investors to gauge the deal's financial impact until Hark reveals product details.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.