Summary: The Rabbit R1, a new personal assistant device, promises to outperform smartphones with its retro design and simplified AI assistance. The device, unveiled at CES 2024, aims to provide a dedicated and less distracting experience compared to our all-encompassing phones.
Gone are the days of endless app-scrolling and constant notifications. Rabbit founder, Jesse Lyu, believes that our smartphones, although capable of multitasking, do not excel at any one function. This belief has led to the development of the Rabbit R1 – a vibrant orange device that resembles a walkie-talkie with a small screen and a nostalgic scroll wheel.
Unlike virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, the Rabbit R1 intends to provide a focused and personalized experience by learning the habits of its users. Equipped with a large action model AI, the R1 automates tasks such as handling takeout orders, booking cabs, and suggesting recipes. Its 2.88-inch display showcases information related to user requests, while the camera assists with visual queries like ingredient recognition for cooking.
One notable feature of the Rabbit R1 is its departure from the traditional app model. Instead of downloading individual apps, the R1 connects directly to existing services such as Spotify and Uber. While this may require an extra step through an online portal, Rabbit assures users that authentication occurs within the app’s system and no login data is stored.
However, Rabbit faces an uphill battle in a world already saturated with screens and sensors. The success of the R1 relies on whether its software experience becomes compelling enough to justify adding another gadget to our pockets, rather than relying on the AI tools already available on smartphones.
The Rabbit R1 is set to launch in late March with a price tag of $199 (~₹16,500). Whether this retro challenger can truly dethrone the smartphone as our go-to assistant remains to be seen.