Rabbit’s R1 AI device: talk of CES 2024

The recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased a variety of innovative gadgets, but one device that stood out was the Rabbit R1. This red-orange square-shaped gadget aims to replace smartphones by offering a unified interface that can perform various tasks without the need for individual apps.

Priced at £159, the Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered handheld device developed by Santa Monica-based startup Rabbit. It weighs 115g and features a 2.9in touchscreen display, a push-to-talk button, a retro analogue scroll wheel, and a 360-degree rotating AI-enhanced camera for video calls. It supports wifi and 4G connectivity and has a MediaTek Helio P35 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.

The Rabbit R1 operates on the Rabbit OS and uses a Large Action Model (LAM) to learn and replicate human actions on smartphones and computers. It has already been trained to perform actions on popular apps like Spotify, Amazon, Uber, and DoorDash in the US.

To use the Rabbit R1, users need to sign in to their services on Rabbit’s web portal, granting the AI permission to complete tasks on their behalf. According to Rabbit, user credentials are not stored, and all authentication is done on the respective service’s website.

The Rabbit R1 is currently available for pre-order, with the first two batches selling out quickly. The device is expected to start shipping in March, with the next batch estimated to arrive between May and June.

This handheld device aims to simplify the user experience by eliminating the need for multiple apps on a smartphone. With its unified interface and AI capabilities, the Rabbit R1 hopes to revolutionize how people interact with technology.