“Explore the Rabbit r1, a game-changer in voice tech at CES 2024. Can it disrupt the smartphone market? Uncover insights and user experiences here.”
The recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was buzzing with updates from both startups and tech giants working on products that leverage, or in some cases, push the boundaries of natural language processing (NLP), a rapidly growing field within artificial intelligence (AI).
Among the myriad exhibits, one particular attention-grabber was a small, square, orange device called the Rabbit r1. Unlike the typical CES stage unveiling, this palm-sized gadget was introduced in a ballroom at Wynn, creating quite a stir. Even Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella dubbed it the ‘most impressive’ device, drawing parallels to the groundbreaking impact of the first iPhone by Steve Jobs.
The Rabbit r1, through its company’s claims, stood out at CES 2024 for being capable of doing several things that a smartphone can’t. From booking Uber rides to planning vacations, including air ticket and room reservations, to even suggesting recipes based on scanned refrigerator ingredients – all accomplished through a simple voice command.
While the latest smartphones with advanced voice assistants can handle various tasks like web searches and making calls, the r1 goes a step further. It can execute actions like booking a cab or reserving a hotel room using computer vision, all through a walkie-talkie style device, surpassing the capabilities of current smartphone-based voice assistants.
Rabbit Inc., the brains behind the r1, argues that the limitations of current chatbots, such as ChatGPT, stem from being built on text-based AI models, known as large language models (LLMs). In contrast, the r1 uses a different approach, employing a large action model (LAM) within its Rabbit OS. This LAM takes advantage of advances in neuro-symbolic programming, combining neural networks with symbolic reasoning to enable the device to learn directly from user interactions and execute tasks without relying on text-based requests and APIs.
Unlike chatbots that excel in creative responses, the r1 focuses on learning routine and minimalistic tasks to efficiently repeat them upon command. Priced at $199, significantly lower than flagship smartphones, Rabbit Inc. positions the r1 as a stand-alone gadget driven by natural language to accomplish tasks.
However, whether this price advantage alone is enough to entice users away from their smartphones remains to be seen. Smartphones have evolved into pocket computers, offering a vast app ecosystem that caters to diverse user needs. The familiarity of typing text prompts for privacy reasons is also a factor, as the r1 solely relies on voice commands.
Rabbit Inc.’s founder, Jesse Lyu, envisions the r1 disrupting the smartphone market, but realistically, the device competes strongly in the voice assistant and smart speaker market. Given that more people are depending on voice assistants, the r1 may be a key factor in encouraging the creation of additional voice-based applications.
As of January 19, five batches of 10,000 r1 devices have been sold out, with shipping set to begin in April. The degree to which users are captivated by the R1 and fall down the rabbit hole is what will determine the device’s success.