The Former Android VP, alongside a team of former Google and Meta executives, is leading the creation of a new operating system designed specifically for AI agents. The new startup, “/Dev/Agents, aims to be a platform that can support a wide range of AI-driven tasks across devices.
With the growing influence of AI, /Dev/Agents aims to carve out a space for AI agents that work seamlessly across devices. It is a move of creating operating system for AI agents. This vision draws from the early days of android, a platform that sought to provide a unified user-friendly experience for mobile devices. Hugo Barra, who played a pivotal role in the Android’s success, describes this venture as returning to his android roots.
Hugo Barra, along with David Singleton, former VP of engineering at Google, will lead the charge in making the AI agents practical and integral in our daily lives. Singleton envisions AI agents that can work together alongside users “in a much the same way people work with people” making technology more natural to use.
The team at /dev/agents is focused on building new interface concepts, simplifying development tools and enhancing privacy. The advancements will make it possible to integrate AI across various devices via the cloud, ensuring that AI is accessible not only on smartphones but also across a range of connected devices.
What sets Dev/Agents apart is its ambition to reduce the reliance on individual apps. With AI agents working in the background, they could potentially handle tasks traditionally managed by apps, streamlining the user experience and creating a more cohesive tech ecosystem. This could mean that instead of relying on dozens of apps to perform tasks, a well-designed AI agent could handle them all, making your devices smarter and more efficient.
The road ahead
Despite its grand vision, /Dev/Agents remains a small operation, currently employing fewer than 10 people. However, the startup has attracted the attention of significant investors, including CapitalG and Index Ventures, signaling confidence in its potential. As Barra mentions, the company is actively hiring for key roles in engineering, product development, and user experience to help scale its innovative ideas.
The idea is that, instead of using a bunch of separate apps to complete tasks, you’ll have one powerful AI agent that can take care of everything for you. For example, your AI could help you plan your day, send messages, control your home appliances, or even manage your work tasks—all without switching between different apps. Its ultimate goals are to create a moment for AI that’s as transformative as Android was for smartphones. Just like Android brought together different devices with one operating system, /Dev/Agents wants to bring all your devices together with AI agents that work for you.
As AI continues to evolve, /Dev/Agents is aiming to make AI a part of everyday life, seamlessly integrated into all the technology we use. This could change the way we interact with everything from our phones to our homes, making our devices smarter and easier to control.
