Latest news with #Tansel
USA Today
08-03-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Humane AI pin fails: A $700 gadget adds to the global e-waste crisis
Humane AI pin fails: A $700 gadget adds to the global e-waste crisis Show Caption Hide Caption What is the 'Right to Repair' legislation introduced nationwide? Right to repair legislation has been introduced in all 50 states, marking a major victory for consumer rights. These laws ensure that consumers can access replacement parts, manuals, data and even specialized tools for maintaining their own devices. unbranded - Newsworthy The Humane Ai Pin promised to be the next big thing in wearable tech but the device failed to attract users, becoming instead a poster child for AI's contribution to the global e-waste problem. The pins were designed by artificial intelligence startup Humane to be worn on clothing and could be tapped to talk to a virtual assistant. Thousands of the $700 devices are now obsolete after Humane shut down its business in February and sold its assets to personal computer maker HP for $116 million, after receiving few orders and disappointing reviews for the product. The pins went offline on Feb. 28. Experts said the pin, like other AI-enhanced wearables, is difficult to recycle because of the large amounts of glue used in the devices, underscoring how AI products threaten to exacerbate the world's e-waste problem. "These products are designed based on the consumers' desires and affordability," said Berrin Tansel, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Florida International University. Making them easier to recycle would require the cost of the material recovery process to be fronted by the manufacturer, making them more expensive, Tansel told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Only 22.3% of the world's 62 billion kg of e-waste was recycled in 2022, according to the latest data available from the United Nations global e-waste monitor. Meanwhile, the use of the technology is only expected to grow. The International Data Corporation, a global analytics company, expects over 600 million wearable devices to be manufactured by 2028, up 20% from 2023. "(Wearable) electronics and AI are addictive for consumers. They enhance our abilities beyond what is possible naturally," said Tansel. "The gadgets are desired to be smaller and lightweight. That makes the recovery of materials for recycling purposes practically impossible. Even when recovery is possible for some metals from discarded products, it is not economically feasible." Wearable waste Electronic recyclers prioritize recovering undamaged components, such as screens, speakers and internal chips, which can be reused and sold. Afterwards, a device will be broken down for rare earth metals. Humane is encouraging users to recycle pins through any local e-waste programs. "At Humane, we are committed to sustainability, ensuring that both our packaging and devices can be responsibly recycled," it said on its website. But Shahram Mokhtari, a technician from repair company iFixit, said Humane's heavy use of glue makes recycling more expensive and environmentally hazardous. This additional labor cuts into recyclers' margins, making disassembly unprofitable, with only a fraction of the resources and work involved in making the devices in the first place likely to be recovered in the recycling process, Mokhtari said. More wearable tech news: Are Halliday's AI smart glasses an amazing new wearable or surefire way to cheat? "This thing was terrible for the environment even before it was discontinued. Glued in batteries that are hard to remove and impossible to get to will always result in unnecessary waste and pollution," Mokhtari told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by email. "This is now a sunk cost for consumers and the planet that will never be fully recovered," he said. When contacted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation about its plans for recycling the pin, Humane provided a link to the recycling advice on its website but declined to comment further. HP did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Another, more popular, wearable is Meta's Ray-Bans – glasses enhanced with microphones, speakers and an AI assistant. The tech giant has sold over 2 million units since 2023, according to EssilorLuxottica, which manufactures the glasses. When contacted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation for a comment on its plans for recycling the glasses, Meta referred to a blog post telling users to use local authorities or waste disposal services. But iFixit published a video in December 2023 showing that replacing the battery is difficult and removing components can only be done by destroying the plastic. "If you open these glasses up, don't expect them to go back together," the video said. "Cool glasses, but ultimately nothing more than vanity-fueled e-waste." When asked how it would ensure future products can be effectively recycled, Meta declined to comment. Long-life laws Legislation should be introduced to insist on easily-replaceable batteries in smartphones, laptops and AI-driven wearables, said Elizabeth Chamberlain, iFixit's director of sustainability. The European Union's 2023 battery directive is meant to ensure that batteries have a low carbon footprint, use minimal harmful substances, use less raw materials, and are collected, reused and recycled to a high degree. However, recycling capacity in the EU and Britain is only about a tenth of what is required to meet recycling targets by 2030, according to a 2024 report from T&E, a clean transport and energy advocacy group. The U.S. does not have an equivalent national law. Chamberlain said laws should require companies to disclose end-of-life plans at the point of sale. "In an ideal world, all products would become automatically open-sourced and part designs would become available when manufacturer support ends," she said. Tansel said that over time the materials used in small electronics will become more expensive, which could result in programs from companies to buy back old products for parts, but this is unlikely in the short-term. "Awareness of the potential impacts of waste and the significance of environmental quality (water, soil, air) on the well-being of humans is not at a level yet for the implementation of effective policies for the design and development of these products," she said. Reporting by Adam Smith, @adamndsmith, Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters. Visit
The National
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Al Masaood Automobiles chief on the future of mobility
Podcasts Business Extra Irfan Tansel on the enduring legacy of family favourite, the Nissan Patrol This episode is sponsored by Al Masaood Automobiles The global automotive industry is undergoing dramatic transformation as owners seek more from their vehicles – and technology delivers. This is evident in the UAE where major distributors such as Al Masaood Automobiles are anticipating and catering to shifting customer demands. In this episode of The National's Business Extra podcast, the company's chief executive, Irfan Tansel, discusses the UAE's current motoring landscape, as well as the future of mobility, as it experiences disruption across the industry, including the growth of electric vehicles, emergence of autonomous cars, and rising owner appetite for digitisation and connectivity. Drawing on more than 40 years in the automotive business, Mr Tansel tells host David Dunn about the evolving role of physical dealerships in a digital-first world, Al Masaood Automobiles' significant sector successes and the enduring legacy of family favourite, the Nissan Patrol.
Arabian Business
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
AB Majlis podcast: From mechanic to CEO – Al Masaood's Irfan Tansel steers auto dealer through digital age
For over four decades, Irfan Tansel has been a part of the automotive industry, from his early days as a mechanic in Germany to his current role as CEO of Al Masaood, Tansel has witnessed the evolution of a sector – particularly in the UAE, where the industry has rapidly evolved to embrace digitalisation, customer-centric experiences, and the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). Tansel's passion for automobiles started at just 15 years old in Germany. 'I started as an apprentice to become a mechanic, the benefit of that is I had the privilege to work in every aspect of our business – from bolts and nuts to selling vehicles to creating strategies and marketing activities. That helped me understand how decisions impact the people you work with and lead,' he said in the latest episode of AB Majlis. As part of Al Masaood's current strategy, Tansel highlighted two major transformation initiatives – Project Falcon and Falcon 2.0. 'Project Falcon was about looking inside at our people, processes, and policies shaping ourselves to be the best version of our organisation,' he explained. 'Falcon 2.0, on the other hand, is about looking outward at market share diversification, customer centricity, and, most importantly, innovation,' he added. The name 'Falcon' was chosen for a reason. 'Operating in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, the falcon is an icon. It symbolises speed, agility, and foresight, attributes that we needed to embrace as an organisation,' he said. Over the years, Tansel has observed a significant shift in consumer preferences, particularly with the rise of digitalisation. 'People start their car-buying journey on their phones—researching prices, comparing models—before visiting a showroom. The role of showrooms has changed; it's now about brand experience, about feeling and touching the car rather than just gathering information,' he explained. EV adoption in the UAE With the global push toward sustainability, electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining momentum, but Tansel believes mass adoption in the UAE will take time. 'EVs are here, and they are dominating discussions in the industry but adoption in the UAE is slower because it requires infrastructure such as charging stations, ease of access, and legislative support. Many residents live in high-rise buildings that are not equipped for mass EV charging, so it will take time,' he explained. Despite challenges, he remains optimistic. 'The UAE is a champion of commitment. When the leadership sets a vision, it gets done. The government is providing incentives like registration discounts and charging subsidies, and over time, infrastructure will follow.' Yet, he acknowledges a major cultural hurdle: car enthusiasts' love for traditional combustion engines. 'You're looking at one!' he laughed. 'Petrolheads love the sound, the feel, the power of an engine. EVs don't provide that sensory experience. That's why traditional engines aren't going anywhere. They'll always have a place.' An innovation-led future Looking ahead, Al Masaood is preparing for the next wave of automotive evolution. 'Falcon 2.0 addresses key industry shifts, including electrification and the rise of autonomous vehicles. Autonomous driving won't be mainstream in the next five years, it requires significant legislation. Who takes responsibility if something goes wrong?' he questioned. Another major challenge? The shift to EVs will impact after-sales revenue. 'Electric vehicles have 60 per cent fewer moving parts than traditional cars, meaning lower maintenance costs. That's why dealerships must diversify their revenue streams,' Tansel explained. Ultimately, the CEO sees Al Masaood's role not just in selling cars but in offering unparalleled service. 'Our product isn't just vehicles – it's convenience, affordability, and customer experience. That's what we are innovating for,' he concluded. Tune in to AB Majlis every Monday To listen to the full episode and gain a comprehensive understanding of doing business in the Gulf region, visit our RSS feed or check out AB Majlis on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms. Episodes are also available on: Tune in every Monday for weekly episodes that will help you stay ahead of the curve and enrich your understanding of the Gulf region.
