Move over Siri, there’s a new AI in town – meet the rabbit r1, an ingenious pocket-sized personal assistant designed by Swedish tech wizards Teenage Engineering. At only $199, this palm-sized AI sidekick aims to handle daily tasks so you can leave your phone in your pocket.
So what exactly is the rabbit r1 and how does it work? Essentially, it’s a portable voice-controlled agent that can interact with apps and services to accomplish basic tasks for you. Want to book a rideshare or order takeout? Just ask rabbit, no need to pull out your phone.
Powered by a proprietary natural language AI, the r1 can navigate third-party apps and websites just as a human would, clicking buttons and filling forms. And if you want it to use a new app, the rabbit can actually watch and learn your usage, then operate it independently! Pretty smart for a cute little bunny bot.
The idea is that for simple, frequent tasks like hailing a ride or making a reservation, rabbit r1 is a more convenient and focused alternative to digging out your phone. As CEO Jesse Lyu explains, smartphones are great entertainment devices, but inefficient productivity tools. The rabbit aims to change that.
So why carry an additional gadget you may ask? Well, at a petite 3.3 x 1.3 x 0.7 inches and 2.5oz, the r1 easily fits in a pocket or clips onto a bag. For quick tasks on the go, it’s far more accessible than your phone. The minimal e-ink display shows essential info at a glance before stowing it away. And the rechargeable battery lasts multiple days with normal use.
While existing AI assistants like Siri rely on pre-approved branded integrations, rabbit r1 utilizes machine learning to simulate real app usage, unlocking the entire ecosystem. If it can navigate the app, rabbit can use it, with your permission of course.
This “virtual assistant” approach also enables more natural conversations and contextual understanding. Tell rabbit you’re hungry and it’ll offer to order food or make a reservation without specifying an exact app. The AI comprehension aims to mimic human logic and decisions.
At $199 with no subscription fees, the rabbit r1’s pricing is highly competitive for the amount of advanced technology packed in. And it comes from great pedigree, having been co-designed by Stockholm-based consumer electronics darlings Teenage Engineering. Their signature Scandinavian minimalism shines through in the charming, compact form.
Early reviews praise the r1’s utility and delightful design. Tech radar called it “an AI assistant that could actually replace your phone.” While some question carrying both devices, those who have tried rabbit report it becomes indispensable for quick tasks. The hands-free convenience is addictive.
Of course, privacy and security are always concerns with internet-connected gadgets. rabbit assures your data stays protected behind encryption and is never sold. The r1 only logs into apps in disposable, anonymized sessions. And you must manually activate each one by entering credentials on your phone first.
Overall, the rabbit r1 offers an intriguing vision for the future of portable AI. It aims to anticipate and automate menial tasks so you can stay present in the moment. And the charming minimalist design makes sci-fi functionality approachable. For $199, it could be the ultimate personal productivity hack.
This pocket AI assistant is one of the standout innovations from this year’s CES. Will the rabbit r1 hop its way into your daily carry? Or does carrying an additional device defeat the purpose? @Gizmoweek, let us know if you’d give this real-life Hopps a shot!
