A First Look at the Rabbit R1: A Fun But Flawed AI Gadget

The Rabbit R1, an AI device designed by Teenage Engineering, took the tech world by storm at CES.

With promises of whimsy and a lower price tag than competitors, it stood out from the more serious AI offerings.

CEO Jesse Lyu made bold claims for the $199 device, but how does it hold up in reality?

A Quirky Design

The R1’s hardware feels like a mid-range Android phone. It’s small, light, and boasts a bright orange color.

The most striking feature is the camera, which swivels on the side to face you or the world.

Despite its limitations (think fuzzy screen and clunky wheel), the R1 is undeniably fun. It feels more like a playful gadget than a high-end product.

AI with Room for Improvement

Basic tasks like answering questions and playing music work decently. However, the AI is slow and struggles with complex requests.

Additionally, the companion app, Rabbithole, feels unfinished. Security concerns also arise due to the virtual machine setup.

Promising Features, Uncertain Future

The R1 boasts features like email and spreadsheets, but these haven’t been implemented yet.

CEO Lyu has ambitious plans for the future, including app integration and accessories, but it’s unclear when these will become available.

The Verdict: A Charming Work in Progress

For now, the R1 excels at basic tasks like music playback and simple questions. It’s a charming companion, but its usefulness is limited by its unfinished software and slow AI.

While the potential is there, Rabbit has a lot of work to do to fulfill its promises before the competition catches up.