A second pair of eyes and ears ever-present to assist you

Made up of a smartphone, a biometric earbud, and a wearable camera module with a battery pack, Layer’s Personal Intelligent Assistant (PiA) is a digital-first ecosystem of concept devices that reimagines the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence by creating an emotionally resonant experience.

As mind-bending as it can be at times, the omnipresence of artificial intelligence is impossible to belittle. Just like with every sliver of innovation we are predestined to meet, the sooner we let it into our lives, the smoother and more meaningful a form of synchronization becomes. London-based design studio and creative agency Layer has identified a crucial factor at play capable of refining and bettering the relationship between humans and AI: emotional resonance.

Layer’s Personal Intelligent Assistant (PiA) is an interconnected assortment of AI devices that discreetly see, sense, listen, and communicate with users. Together, they form a reliable and multifaceted assistant that serves as a second pair of eyes and ears as it collects and analyzes data from the user’s physical state and surroundings. PiA consists of a smartphone, a biometric earbud, and a modular and wearable camera module with a battery pack.

Layer's set of PiA concept devices has been produced in collaboration with Complete Fabrication, one of the UK’s leading prototypers and model makers. - © Layer — Layer’s set of PiA concept devices has been produced in collaboration with Complete Fabrication, one of the UK’s leading prototypers and model makers. – © Layer

Driven by voice-only activations, the overwhelming majority of existing AI assistants seek to substitute the smartphone. In contrast, PiA is an immersive digital experience with a visual avatar that forms the basis of the phone’s operating system and connects with users and the external environment through Layer’s set of devices. Produced in collaboration with model makers Complete Fabrication, the smartphone, biometric earbud, and wearable camera module work in concert, seamlessly collecting data about users’ biometric information and setting.

This data is then processed by an advanced AI system that provides continuously updated, bespoke advice and contextual information tailored to the individual’s needs and meant to enhance every aspect of one’s life. The AI assistant also offers visual feedback to convey sentiment–a genuine emotional connection between the user and the devices can therefore blossom.

"By weaving emotion and humanity into the fabric of speculative AI, PiA transforms the relationship between user and technology. The project merges product design, branding, and digital innovation to create a personalized journey that elevates assistive technology and makes AI feel more human and connected to us.” – Benjamin Hubert, founder of Layer. - © Layer — “By weaving emotion and humanity into the fabric of speculative AI, PiA transforms the relationship between user and technology. The project merges product design, branding, and digital innovation to create a personalized journey that elevates assistive technology and makes AI feel more human and connected to us.” – Benjamin Hubert, founder of Layer. – © Layer

Crafted from recycled glass, the lightweight, ultra-slim smartphone prioritizes functionality and user experience. Acting as an interface between the physical and digital worlds and a source of useful information derived from biometric, visual, and audio data, the longer edge-to-edge display offers better multitasking capability and experience when consuming media.

The smartphone's longer format edge-to-edge display offers both better multitasking capability and experience when consuming media, whether watching a movie in cinematic wide-screen mode or scrolling through social media. - © Layer — The smartphone’s longer format edge-to-edge display offers both better multitasking capability and experience when consuming media, whether watching a movie in cinematic wide-screen mode or scrolling through social media. – © Layer

The integration of transparent OLEDs elegantly conceals the front-facing camera. The smartphone allows PiA to assist users with wide-ranging advice: from how to sleep better and customized activity coaching to navigation advice augmented by real-life video footage overlaid on a map and booking travel and events based on learned preferences.

PiA’s branding grippingly reflects its vision to redefine how we interact with technology. Designed by Layer, it blends simplicity, intelligence, and emotional connection and creates a more human-centered approach to AI. - © Layer — PiA’s branding grippingly reflects its vision to redefine how we interact with technology. Designed by Layer, it blends simplicity, intelligence, and emotional connection and creates a more human-centered approach to AI. – © Layer

Worn discreetly in the ear, the biometric earbud facilitates the AI personal assistant to freely communicate with the user. The earbud contains sensors on the pulse point of the inner ear that track and collect vital signs such as heart rate and body temperature at a more integrated level compared to existing devices such as wrist-based wearable ones. This data, combined with environmental information gathered by the wearable camera module, allows PiA to offer personalized health and wellness advice.

PiA is a companion, conceptualized to enrich our lives with an experience that is as emotionally resonant as it is technologically advanced. - © Layer — PiA is a companion, conceptualized to enrich our lives with an experience that is as emotionally resonant as it is technologically advanced. – © Layer

PiA’s camera can be detached from the smartphone and double as a pin or brooch. It lets Layer’s AI personal assistant see what the user sees and access visual information about the surrounding environment and the user’s interactions such as identifying a product, telling a user about the landscape’s history, and more.

Founded by award-winning British design entrepreneur Benjamin Hubert and working across strategy, industrial design, engineering, branding, and digital design, Layer is led by its desire to create experience-driven concepts, products, and tools that will enrich the way we live, work, and communicate in the future. As a significant step forward in the evolution of human-computer interaction, PiA emphasizes the personal and intuitive aspects of advanced gadgetry and redefines AI as both an emotionally and technologically engaged companion.