Knowledge Aug 20, 2024 Trend Report: AI Gadget, “rabbit r1”

A new palm-sized AI gadget, the rabbit r1, was announced at CES this year. It’s based on ChatGPT 3.5 and operated by both voice and touch panel. It is said to have been the most high-profile device at CES.

The number of product orders on the launch date (just 24 hours after the announcement) exceeded 10,000 units, which is about 20 times the company's estimated shipments. It is estimated that more than 100,000 units have been ordered to date.

The nostalgic 80’s/90’s aesthetic of rabbit r1 was designed by Teenage Engineering, a popular electronics manufacturer based in Stockholm, and developed by Rabbit, Inc. The device employs LAM (Large Action Model) and is designed to perform actions and support tasks such as web search and music streaming.

• Search and answer questions with voice commands (answers are displayed o screen as well as with audio)
• Taking photos
• Real time language translation
• Voice recording and transcription
• Integration with the following major apps to be added soon:
  • Uber
  • DoorDash
  • Spotify
  • Midjourney
• Use of the camera to understand and explain your surroundings

• Making phone calls or send/receive messages
• Volume adjustment
• Alarm
• Timer

Currently, there are only four apps that can be linked, and in terms of operability of those apps, it is quite inferior to many smartphone apps. Finally, the basic features of media (no volume adjustment, alarm, timer, and photo/video saving functions) are missing.

While many are feeling lukewarm about the device since the announcement, there is hope that new features will be added, and current issues will be improved through updates in the future. AI-powered gadgets are still in their infancy, so there are high expectations for how they will develop in the future.

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KDDI America, Inc.

 KDDI America is the US subsidiary of KDDI Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company and is growing communications carrier with a proven track record in Japan and a longstanding reputation for quality and reliability. KDDI America provides a wide range of High Quality Services such as Communications, Data Centers and Solution Services throughout the world.