Meet Rabbit R1: Your Adorable AI-Powered Assistant, Co-Designed by Teenage Engineering

Yes, if you own a smartphone, you likely have a virtual assistant at your fingertips. Many readers of tech media outlets probably also have smart speakers in their homes ready to tackle simple tasks. However, a new startup named Rabbit believes these solutions fall short of true AI potential. Unveiled at CES 2024 in Las Vegas (though not an official exhibitor), Rabbit aims to replace traditional app interactions with conversational dialogue, offering a more seamless experience through what they describe as a "walkie-talkie for AI."

The Rabbit R1 is the company's debut device, and it features an endearing bright orange square design, crafted by the renowned designers at Teenage Engineering. It includes a 2.88-inch touchscreen, an analog scroll wheel, two microphones, a speaker, and a "360-degree rotational eye"—essentially a camera that can pivot to face you or point outward.

Interacting with Rabbit AI is simple: press and hold the "Push-to-Talk" button to activate Rabbit OS. A stylized rabbit head appears on the screen, responding as you ask questions or issue commands. Whether you want to summon an Uber, find a recipe for leftovers, or discover who sampled The Isley Brothers' "That Lady" (the Beastie Boys, Basement Jaxx, and Kendrick Lamar, for reference), the Rabbit R1 shows promise in handling these tasks effectively.

Rabbit OS operates using its proprietary Large Action Model (LAM), which founder and CEO Jesse Lyu describes as a key innovation. Unlike traditional methods that rely on APIs or apps, LAM is trained to execute tasks across various user interfaces—akin to an advanced macro.

In a demonstration, Lyu shows Rabbit AI how to generate an image using Midjourney via Discord. After walking through the steps, Rabbit OS can replicate the task when prompted.

By default, the rotating camera faces inward, providing a privacy feature that only activates when needed. It can perform tasks like recognizing objects and people in its environment but the real intrigue lies in its interactive capabilities. For example, when Lyu points the R1 at a full refrigerator and requests a "low-calorie" recipe based on its contents, the device responds intelligently.

Despite its intriguing features, several questions remain about the Rabbit R1, such as battery life and user training ease. However, it’s clear that Rabbit is paving the way for a new approach to virtual assistance.