All You Need To Know About Rabbit R1, The Pocket-Sized AI-Powered Gadget (Image: Rabbit)
Santa Monica-based AI startup Rabbit has introduced a pocket-sized AI device that has grabbed a lot of attention. The AI-powered pocket companion, called the Rabbit R1, was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 in Las Vegas. Rabbit R1 is aiming to redefine how people interact with technology.
According to the startup, the Rabbit R1 was developed “to take a leap towards an app-free online experience.” The device uses Rabbit OS, powered by an innovative “Large Action Model” (LAM). The company says that LAM is designed to make AI systems see and act on apps in the same way humans do. LAM learns from human interaction with apps, bypassing the need for standard APIs. “Rabbit’s proprietary Large Action Model (LAM) is the cornerstone of the new r1 device – and the foundation of the future of human-machine interaction,” said the company in its statement.
Introducing r1. Watch the keynote.
Order now: https://t.co/R3sOtVWoJ5 #CES2024 pic.twitter.com/niUmjFvKvE
— rabbit inc. (@rabbit_hmi) January 9, 2024
The AI startup claims that the rabbit OS has the ability to handle various tasks, from simple tasks like searching for up-to-date information to complex tasks such as thoroughly researching and booking options for upcoming travel or filling out a virtual grocery store cart and completing transactions at check-out. Rabbit R1 is built as an intuitive companion device that saves users time. Rabbit says that the device is positioned as a standalone hardware portal to cut through distractions and help users handle their everyday digital tasks more efficiently.
The pocket-sized device arrives with a 2.88-inch touchscreen color display and is powered by a MediaTek processor with 4GB of memory and 128GB of built-in storage. The device also features a push-to-talk button, a scroll wheel to navigate through options, and “rabbit eye,” an AI-enhanced, motorized vision system that serves as a rotating camera. The startup claims that rabbit eye is capable of making video calls as well as executing some of the most advanced computer vision applications.
Users will be able to interact with the Rabbit AI by pressing and holding the “Push-to-Talk” button. The Rabbit OS will then act upon the request, whether it’s to play music or send a message. Smartphones usually depend on individual apps for various tasks. Meanwhile, the Rabbit R1 simplifies this process using AI. Its interface permits users to perform tasks without navigating through various apps or interfaces. In terms of privacy, the device does not have an “always listening mode,” and the microphone of r1 will not record unless the user presses the push-to-talk button.
The Rabbit R1 comes with a price tag of $199. The device is currently available for preorder in the United States, and it does not require any subscription fees. According to Rabbit, US orders will start shipping late in March, and global orders will begin shipping later this year.
