Plaud Inc. plans to release a new wearable device later this year and expects to book $500 million [1] in sales in 2026.

This expansion signals a shift from static recording tools to active AI agents that can interact with the physical world. By moving into wearables, Plaud is attempting to capture a larger share of the ambient computing market where AI processes information in real time.

The startup specializes in artificial intelligence note-taking devices and is designing the new hardware to work specifically with AI agents [2]. This strategic move is intended to feed autonomous systems with more data, and expand the company's footprint in the AI-powered productivity sector [2].

The company has already seen significant growth with its existing product line. Plaud has shipped over two million [4] AI notetakers to date. This hardware distribution has fueled a software business that has surpassed $100 million [4] in annual recurring revenue.

While the new wearable's price point has not been disclosed, the company previously launched the Plaud AI Pro device for $179 [3]. The 2026 sales target of $500 million [1] reflects the company's ambition to scale rapidly as the demand for specialized AI hardware increases.

The new device will focus on integrating seamless audio capture with agentic AI, allowing users to delegate tasks to an AI assistant based on real-world conversations. This approach aims to reduce the friction between recording a thought and executing a digital action.

“Plaud expects to book $500 million in sales in 2026.”

Plaud's transition toward AI-agent-compatible wearables represents a broader industry trend of moving away from smartphones as the primary AI interface. By combining a high-volume hardware install base with a growing recurring software revenue stream, the company is attempting to build a 'moat' around its ecosystem. If successful, this strategy could prove that there is a sustainable consumer market for single-purpose AI hardware, provided those devices offer utility that general-purpose smartphones cannot replicate.