Rabbit Unveils the R1: A Retro-Inspired AI Companion
In a captivating launch event held at the iconic Guggenheim Museum in New York City, Rabbit introduced its groundbreaking device, the R1. This compact, orange-red gadget, no larger than a stack of Post-Its, boasts a small screen and a scroll wheel for seamless interface navigation. What sets the R1 apart is its swiveling camera, positioned above the screen, which can rotate to the front, back, or tuck into the device’s inner casing for enhanced privacy.
A Star-Studded Collaboration
The R1’s launch was graced by the presence of renowned industrial designer Yves Béhar, who played a crucial role in the device’s design. In a surprising announcement, Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu revealed that Teenage Engineering founder Jesper Kouthoofd has joined the company as its chief design officer while maintaining his position as CEO of TE.
Unleashing the Power of AI
Drawing comparisons to the iconic Palm Pilot, the R1 harnesses the potential of artificial intelligence to perform a wide array of tasks. From manipulating spreadsheets and translating languages to generating AI images and even ordering from McDonald’s, the R1 aims to be a versatile companion. The device relies on natural language processing, allowing users to simply push the side button and speak their queries, much like a walkie-talkie.
Vision-Powered AI Tricks
The R1’s camera enables impressive vision-powered AI capabilities. During a live demonstration, Lyu pointed the R1’s camera at a printed spreadsheet and requested the device to swap the placement of two columns and send him a copy. Within moments, an email appeared in Lyu’s inbox, containing a digital version of the spreadsheet with the requested changes.
Seamless Connectivity and Expandability
The R1 offers a range of built-in features, including note-taking, translations, voice recordings, and a virtual keyboard for typing. Users can access and edit their notes through the “Rabbit Hole” web portal. While the R1 currently integrates with four third-party services—Uber, DoorDash, Midjourney, and Spotify—Lyu promises more functionality in the near future, such as travel planning, music integrations, and additional service partnerships.
The goal for the R1 is more or less to be a ”super app” for your life.
The Future of Interaction
Rabbit confirmed that an accompanying camera wearable is in development, which will enable the R1 to understand and control devices simply by pointing at them. Lyu also hinted at the possibility of generative user interfaces, allowing users to have an “imagination-based interaction” with the R1.
As the R1 makes its debut, it boldly claims a spot in the tech hall of fame, promising to revolutionize the way we interact with our devices and the world around us.
3 Comments
Oh, so now even rabbits are living in 2050 while we’re stuck in 2023, great.
Rabbits with AI assistants, what’s next, turtles with smartphones?
Just when I thought I’d seen everything, rabbits are getting tech upgrades before humans do!