In today’s fast-paced world, our smartphones have become an essential part of our lives. From snapping photos to ordering takeout, our phones have become a hub for numerous apps and functions. However, Jesse Lyu, the CEO and founder of Rabbit, believes that this abundance of features has stripped away the simplicity of our smartphones. That’s why Rabbit has introduced the Rabbit R1, a dedicated personal assistant powered by AI.
The Design and Hardware
The Rabbit R1 is an adorable, palm-sized device that immediately catches the eye with its bright orange color. Designed in collaboration with Teenage Engineering, the R1 boasts a sleek and retro look. It features a compact 2.88-inch touchscreen, an analog scroll wheel, two microphones, a speaker, and a 360-degree rotational camera. Despite its small size, the R1 packs a punch with its 2.3GHz MediaTek processor, 4GB of memory, and 128GB of storage. The device’s battery life is claimed to last “all day,” ensuring uninterrupted usage throughout the day.
The Power of Rabbit OS
What sets the Rabbit R1 apart is its operating system, aptly named Rabbit OS, and the AI technology that drives it. Rabbit OS is based on a unique “Large Action Model” (LAM) that acts as a universal controller for various apps. Unlike traditional virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, Rabbit OS aims to provide a seamless and unified experience across different platforms and devices. With Rabbit OS, you can control your music, order a car, buy groceries, and even send messages, all through a single interface.
Teaching the Model
To achieve its universal solution, Rabbit took a different approach than building a multitude of APIs and convincing developers to support the R1. Instead, they trained the Large Action Model by interacting with existing apps like Spotify and Uber, effectively teaching the model how these apps work. The LAM learned the intricacies of different interfaces, from recognizing settings icons to confirming orders. This approach enables the R1 to apply its knowledge to any app, regardless of the platform or device.
Hands-On Interaction
Interacting with the Rabbit R1 is refreshingly simple. Instead of navigating through a sea of icons, you press and hold the “Push-to-Talk” button to activate the device. The R1’s animated rabbit icon appears, ready to assist you. You can ask questions, request tasks, or play music, all by speaking into the device. The R1’s response is displayed on the touchscreen, ensuring transparency and control over the model’s output.
AI-Powered Versatility
The Rabbit R1’s AI capabilities extend beyond voice commands. With its rotating camera, button, and speaker, it can perform a range of tasks akin to Google Assistant. For example, you can ask the R1 to identify objects or people in the real world, providing a seamless visual recognition experience. Additionally, the R1 has a dedicated training mode, allowing users to teach the device specific actions. Once trained, the R1 can autonomously carry out those actions, eliminating repetitive tasks.
Connecting to Services
Although the R1 doesn’t have traditional apps, it can connect to various services to fulfill your requests. Whether it’s playing a Spotify playlist or calling an Uber, the R1 links to your preferred services through an online portal called Rabbit Hole. While this may require manual connection for each service, Rabbit ensures that no login data is stored, and authentication methods are handled securely.
The Rabbit R1 Experience
While the Rabbit R1 offers a unique and promising user experience, there are still questions to be answered. Battery life, for instance, is claimed to last all day, but users will need to put it to the test to determine its actual endurance. Additionally, the ease of training the device and integrating it into daily routines will play a crucial role in its adoption.
The Future of AI-Powered Assistants
The Rabbit R1 represents a significant step forward in the development of AI-powered devices. It challenges the notion that our smartphones are the ultimate solution for every task by providing a dedicated assistant that simplifies interactions and automates processes. While virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa have their place, the Rabbit R1 offers a focused and distraction-free approach to getting things done.
Preparing for the Rabbit R1
Excitement around the Rabbit R1 is palpable, as evidenced by the 10,000 units sold during the initial pre-order phase. With an affordable price of $199, the R1 aims to be accessible to a wide range of users. Pre-orders are already available, with shipping expected to start in March or April. As users eagerly anticipate the arrival of their R1, Rabbit continues to refine its software experience and deliver on its promise of a seamless AI assistant.
