Ultrahuman’s former hardware VP raises $5.5M for devices that control AI agents, not just record you
A former hardware executive from Ultrahuman has established a startup creating physical input devices specifically engineered to command and orchestrate artificial intelligence systems. Aina announced $5.5 million in funding to develop these control-oriented interfaces, positioning them as an alternative to passive recording devices. The investment draws backing from major Indian venture capital firms and prominent technology entrepreneurs.
The company is debuting with Dune, a pocket-sized keyboard offering three programmable buttons designed to manage video meeting functions and automate workflows based on the active application. Earlier prototypes included a tabletop dial remote and a single-tap automation button, but user testing indicated the keyboard format had strongest market appeal, informing the decision to launch it first. This reflects a broader industry movement toward physical control systems for AI automation, moving away from the always-listening sensors that characterised earlier wearable technology.
- Aina, founded by a former Ultrahuman hardware executive, raised $5.5M to develop physical control devices for AI agents rather than passive monitoring systems
- Dune, a three-button programmable keyboard for meeting management and task automation, is the startup's inaugural product
- Part of growing industry shift toward tactile hardware that actively triggers AI workflows instead of constantly recording user activity