Lenovo Has the Most Advanced AI Assistant Yet

Introduction

At the recent CES event, Lenovo and Motorola didn't just dazzle with cutting-edge hardware innovations. They also unveiled a groundbreaking development in artificial intelligence.

Lenovo Introduces Qira

It's called Lenovo Qira, a sophisticated AI assistant integrated across an impressive range of Lenovo and Motorola gadgets like smartphones, wearables, PCs, and tablets. This assistant elevates beyond the typical capabilities of chatbots, such as ChatGPT, by actively managing tasks across multiple devices and applications, including comprehensive file transfers, both online and offline.

According to Dan Dery, the Vice President overseeing the AI Ecosystem at Lenovo's Intelligent Devices Group, Qira transforms how AI interacts with users. He emphasizes that the aim is to make AI seamlessly integrate into daily life, partnering with users in a natural and ongoing manner.

Motorola complemented this with their new AI-integrated wearable device, featuring Qira. Although still a prototype stage, the demonstration hinted at vast potential.

The Ambient Intelligence System

Qira operates as a personal assistant that adapts to its environment. It's aware of context and is accessible over numerous platforms, creating what Lenovo calls a 'fused knowledge base'. This fusion synthesizes user interactions, documents, and stored memories across devices, resulting in an experience fine-tuned to the individual user and reflecting their unique world.

The system is designed to offer a smooth user experience by minimizing context changes and lowering the need for background information to perform tasks. Some of its standout features include offering personalized suggestions with 'Next Move' and catching users up on missed information via 'Catch Me Up'.

User privacy is a priority for Lenovo, emphasizing local processing and minimizing cloud dependency. When cloud interaction is unavoidable, Lenovo pledges to use secure and robust cloud infrastructures.

The rollout will commence with select Lenovo devices early in 2026, with Motorola smartphone support following. On Lenovo products, it will be branded as Lenovo Qira, with Motorola devices adopting the name Motorola Qira.

Exploring Project Maxwell

Motorola's 312 Labs has developed Project Maxwell, distinct in its approach. Described as an 'AI Perceptive Companion Proof of Concept', it seeks to fill gaps left by other market failures.

This project introduces a wearable pin leveraging Qira to handle daily tasks without relying on a phone. Outfitted with a camera, it observes your surroundings to tailor its assistance. A magnet backs the pin, allowing it to be worn as a pendant.

During demonstrations, Project Maxwell effectively navigated requests such as finding directions, hailing a ride, and sending text messages—all without direct phone interaction. Its unique value lies in its execution of these tasks, illustrating Qira's decision-making at every turn.

For instance, when ordering an Uber, Qira autonomously operated the app, filled in location details, selected payment options, and booked the service. Sending a text was similarly straightforward; the appropriate app was accessed, contacts chosen, the message drafted, and sent—all by Qira.