Hot on the heels of Humane’s Ai Pin, Rabbit R1 enters the AI device arena, giving us a sneak peek into the future of AI-assisted human-device interaction.
At the Consumer Electronics Show 2024 (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this month, Rabbit, a Santa Monica-based startup, stole the show with its groundbreaking AI device, the Rabbit R1. The tech community buzzed with excitement—even Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, compared its launch to Steve Jobs’ unveiling of the original iPhone in 2007. Rabbit’s CEO and founder, Jesse Lyu, proudly showcased the Rabbit R1 as a “pocket companion” designed to outperform modern smartphones in saving time and executing tasks.
This snazzy, bright orange gadget is priced at just US$199—much cheaper than its US$699 competitor Human Ai Pin. It took the market by storm and sold out 10,000 units in a mere two days. As of January 18, after selling out five pre-order rounds, Rabbit is revving up for a new batch of 50,000 units.
But what sets the Rabbit R1 apart in a market saturated with smart devices? Here’s an in-depth look into the nuts and bolts of what makes Rabbit R1 so unique.
What is Rabbit R1 and what can it do?
The Rabbit R1 is a palm-sized, AI-powered device, roughly half the size of an iPhone 15. It features a 2.88-inch touchscreen display, a rotating camera, a scroll wheel and a button for interacting with its built-in AI assistant. Powered by a 2.3GHz MediaTek processor, the R1 comes with 4 GB of memory and 128 GB of storage. It also includes a SIM card slot and supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
As the demo, this AI assistant can perform basic tasks typical of a smartphone—playing music ordering groceries, sending messages, recognizing objects and even planning vacations. Yet, Lyu claims Rabbit R1 isn’t here to replace smartphones anytime soon.
Lyu also said that the R1 is smarter than popular AI voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, which, according to him, “either don’t know what you’re talking about or fail to accomplish the tasks we ask for”.
In collaboration with Teenage Engineering, the Rabbit R1’s design is a nod to the past—just look at its retro walkie-talkie vibes and bright orange color. But it also feels futuristic, with its ability to perform tasks through voice commands alone.
How does the Rabbit R1 work?
Rabbit R1 is shaking things up by moving away from the typical app-based systems of modern smartphones. Users connect to apps like Uber and Spotify through the Rabbit Hole web portal and can then interact with the R1 via voice commands.
The device runs on Rabbit OS, powered by a large action model (LAM) that understands natural language and executes computer commands. Unlike a large language model (LLM), Rabbit’s LAM learns software interfaces and triggers actions from voice commands. This means users don’t have to navigate app interfaces manually; the AI learns to interact with apps and do things for them. According to Lyu, Rabbit OS responds ten times faster than most voice AI projects, typically within 500 milliseconds.
And there’s more—users can train the Rabbit R1 with new skills using “teach mode”. For instance, you can teach the device to generate images with Midjourney on Discord or remove watermarks in Photoshop.
Industry skepticism around Rabbit R1
Despite its multifaceted capabilities, some critics question the necessity of a separate AI-assisted device. David Pierce of The Verge highlighted a crucial point in the ongoing debate. He noted that while the Rabbit R1 showcases an array of features that surpass traditional voice assistants, it still falls short of completely replacing a smartphone—though it has some functions of a phone, like making calls. This observation reflects a broader uncertainty among experts about the Rabbit R1’s intended role. Is it an enhancement to existing devices or a standalone product aiming to carve out its own niche?
Another point of contention among tech commentators is the ambiguous nature of Rabbit R1’s functionality and its potential to tackle tasks that have typically challenged other voice assistants.
Who made the Rabbit R1 device?
Rabbit, the mastermind behind Rabbit R1, was established in 2021 in Los Angeles. The company specializes in the development of AI-assisted devices, with the Rabbit R1 being its flagship product. Led by Lyu, Rabbit focuses on integrating AI into consumer electronics and developing computers that are “so intuitive that you don’t need to learn how to use it”.
Since its inception, Rabbit has raised substantial funding, including US$10 million in a Series A round in December 2023, led by Khosla Ventures, Synergis Capital and KAKAO Investment. This brought its total funding to a whopping US$30 million.
What’s next for Rabbit?
Rabbit has partnered with Perplexity AI to enhance Rabbit R1 with a “conversational AI-powered answer engine”. This integration allows the device to conduct real-time searches and offer “live up to date answers without any knowledge cutoff”. The first 100,000 units of Rabbit R1 will come with a complimentary one-year subscription to Perplexity Pro (normally priced at US$20 per month). This subscription grants users access to advanced language models like GPT-4, further augmenting the device’s capabilities.
Conclusion: The dawn of a new AI tech era?
Without a doubt, the Rabbit R1 has captivated the tech community. While there are questions about its role alongside smartphones, the Rabbit R1’s rapid sell-outs indicate a market ripe with intrigue for its novel proposition.
The true test of the Rabbit R1, however, lies ahead. Its impact and relevance will hinge on how it performs in real-world applications and adapts to the ever-changing landscape of AI-assisted technology. But one thing is clear: the emergence of new-generation smart devices like the Rabbit R1 and Humane’s AI Pin is compelling us to rethink what we expect from our devices and how we interact with technology.
Also read:
- Smart Home Gadgets You Need to Try in 2023
- 10 Innovative Lifestyle Tech Gadgets You Didn’t Know You Needed
- How Smart Home Gadgets Make Life Better
- Is Humane’s AI Pin a Game-Changer or Merely a Smartphone Companion?
Header Image by Rabbit
