Hark launches Handoff, a browser-use agent that automates online tasks

Hark, a startup that raised $700 million in Series A funding in May, today launched Handoff, an AI agent that can operate a web browser to complete tasks such as shopping, booking reservations, and conducting research. The company says Handoff can navigate websites without official APIs, including Target, Walmart, OpenTable, and LinkedIn, by interpreting page structure and visual cues to decide where to click or type.

How Handoff works

Handoff is designed to understand website layouts and visual data, allowing it to interact with elements like buttons and forms. Users issue a command—such as “order flowers” or “book a table”—and the agent carries out the steps, even handling fuzzy instructions like “some of the florist’s choice.” In a demo video, CEO Brett Adcock showed the agent assembling a bouquet based on a user’s request, though the video only shows part of the process, so its real-world effectiveness remains unverified.

Performance and cost claims

Hark states that Handoff is faster and cheaper than competing models like GPT-5.5 and Opus 4.8. The company uses a post-trained model for this release, with plans to pre-train later this year. Hark believes this approach lets it refine its data pipeline and training infrastructure more quickly. Unlike large language models that predict the next token, Hark says its model predicts the next action—such as a click or keyboard input at a specific location.

Competitive landscape

Handoff enters a crowded field of browser-use agents. Major tech companies like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic are developing similar computer-use capabilities, while startups such as Browser Use, Polar, Strawberry, and Aside are also working on task automation. Hark’s differentiation hinges on speed and cost, but independent benchmarks are not yet available.

Availability and next steps

Hark has opened a waitlist for its platform and plans to release Handoff by the end of the summer. The company’s substantial funding—$700 million raised in May—signals strong investor confidence in the potential of browser-based AI agents, though the technology is still in its early stages.

Why it matters

Browser-use agents could change how people interact with online services, reducing the time spent on routine tasks. However, reliability and security remain key concerns, as these agents must handle complex, dynamic web pages without making costly errors. Hark’s claims of speed and cost efficiency, if proven, could give it an edge in a competitive market, but users should wait for independent testing before relying on the technology for critical transactions.

Conclusion

Hark’s launch of Handoff adds another player to the rapidly evolving field of AI-driven browser automation. With strong funding and a clear focus on efficiency, the company is positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to larger competitors. As the waitlist opens and the release approaches, the industry will be watching to see if Handoff delivers on its promises.

FAQs

Q1: What is Hark Handoff?
Hark Handoff is an AI agent that uses a web browser to complete tasks like shopping, booking, and research by interpreting website structure and visual data.

Q2: How does Handoff differ from other AI agents?
Handoff predicts the next action (like clicking or typing) rather than just the next token, and Hark claims it is faster and cheaper than models like GPT-5.5 and Opus 4.8.

Q3: When will Handoff be available?
Hark has opened a waitlist and plans to release Handoff by the end of the summer, though an exact date has not been announced.