Rabbit R1: The Ambitious $199 AI Gadget That Aims to Revolutionize Device Interaction

In a bold move to redefine how we interact with technology, Rabbit, an AI startup, has unveiled its latest creation – the Rabbit R1. Priced at $199, this standalone AI device boasts a "Large Action Model" (LAM) that promises to transform the way we navigate apps and services.

Jesse Lyu, the CEO and founder of Rabbit, emphasizes that the R1 is not an immediate replacement for your smartphone but hints at ambitious plans for the future. The gadget, resembling a modernized handheld TV, features a 2.88-inch touchscreen, a rotating camera, and a sleek design crafted in collaboration with Teenage Engineering.

During a brief hands-on experience, the R1 impressed with its lightweight build, tactile buttons, and an intuitive interface. The Rabbit OS, the device's operating system, relies on the LAM to act as a universal controller for various apps, providing a seamless experience for users across different platforms.

What sets the R1 apart is its training mode, allowing users to teach the device specific actions. Lyu illustrates this with an example of teaching the R1 to remove watermarks using Photoshop, demonstrating its potential for personalized and automated tasks.

Rabbit's approach is a departure from the typical AI-powered hardware, positioning the R1 as a versatile super app rather than just a connected device. The goal is akin to what ChatGPT could be for web search, suggesting that Rabbit OS might become a revolutionary counterpart to traditional app stores.

However, questions linger about the practicality of implementing this vision across diverse user scenarios, devices, and platforms. The R1 comes with a web portal called Rabbit Hole, acting as a central hub for logging into various services, but the challenge lies in ensuring a seamless experience for a wide user base.

As the R1 opens for preorders, Lyu envisions the device shipping in March, possibly beating competitors like Humane's AI Pin to the market. The R1's unique blend of voice assistant capabilities, a touchscreen, and an AI-driven operating system sets it on a path to challenge conventional notions of device interaction. Only time will reveal if Rabbit's ambitious vision becomes a transformative reality in the world of AI gadgets.

Editor’s note: This article was written by Jonathan Gasca in collaboration with OpenAI’s GPT-3.5.