The Rabbit r1 launched at CES 2024 provides an intriguing glimpse of what AI companion devices will look like. Whether it will ultimately replace our smartphones and PCs is beside the point at this stage. Its $199 price and cool design mean that there will be plenty of casual tech enthusiasts eager to try it out.
The hardware specs are quite decent for a device that retails for less than $200. In addition to a 2.88-inch touchscreen, the r1 comes with a 360° camera for taking photos and videos, a push-to-talk button, and a scroll-wheel. It also features a 2.3GHz MediaTek Helio P35 processor, 4GB memory, 128GB storage, Wi-Fi, a SIM card slot, and a battery that the company claims will last all day.
It is the software and voice-activated controller that differentiates the r1, however. The device features a Large Action Model that removes the need for you to download multiple apps by enabling access to all of them through a single unified interface instead. This means that you can carry out basic tasks such as scheduling appointments, booking taxis, ordering meals, and drafting emails and other text documents with simple voice commands rather than having to switch from app to app as you would on a smartphone. The company also says that you will be able to train the device to carry out specific tasks using its dedicated teach mode, though this feature is not available yet.
Given that the first 10K units of the r1 have already sold out, it is clear that there is demand for this kind of AI-powered companion device. The more serious question that needs to be asked, however, is whether Rabbit will be able to defend its first-to-market advantage once competitors enter the fray. After all the buzz Rabbit have generated at CES, I do not think it will take long for similar products to arrive from the factories of Shenzhen just as happened during the early of the smartphone boom.
Long time technology industry fan here in Taiwan.
