Okay Rabbit R1, You Have Our Attention!

In this clip, Marques, Andrew, and David discuss the Rabbit R1 AI hardware device that was announced at CES.

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[vernakulish]

Honestly the best use case I can think of for this actual device is as an accessibility device. For someone wheelchair-bound, blind, even dyslexic, etc, this could be a life saver.

[davehandelman]

I think the point is: they annouce it. EVERY Tech bro buys one because it's ONLY $200. They sell out. They get bought by Google or Apple and they make a mint.

[andrewshobbybasement]

Me: "Call me an Uber home."

Rabbit: "You're an Uber home."

[maxresdefault_]

"I will call you by the name 'Uber to New York Airport'"

Amazing

[GrayCatbird]

There’s no way the big tech companies aren’t going to be able to offer everything this thing offers and more within a year or two.

[pico-xquh]

Been using aitranslations myself lately, saves a ton on translations.

[thersanothersidetome]

The main reason I’ve never found use for any of the assistants is because it requires me to speak aloud. If I’m in public, I am far less likely to speak aloud into Siri/Alexa/Google/etc for anything because why would I want strangers to know my business…or even at work. I don’t want to disturb or broadcast to the entire workplace.

[Katherine_Pan]

I saw it somewhere that the founder Jesse said the biggest potential of Rabbit is the ability for everyone to train it to be what they want it to be. Then Rabbit will be their 'product' instead of merely an app that they use. This is very interesting and makes it so fundamentally different from any digital assistant.

[DavidGain]

Looks great but I see no reason why I would want this to be a standalone device to my phone

[kamanokeokeo]

If accessibility is worked out correctly, this could be a huge step forward for everyone, but especially for disabled people. Moving towards a future where natural language is pretty much the only thing you might need to perform actions online instead of relying on UIs such as browsers, websites or apps with their own limited accessibility tools such as VoiceOver or TalkBack is the way to go. But it has to be built with accessibility in mind from the very beginning in order to be a real breakthrough. Total "Her" movie vibes.

[AshtonCoolman]

AI acceleration is being built into cell phone chipsets, as you know, so Rabbit is likely going to be integrated into them. Apple or Google may gobble Rabbit up very soon.

[timmannchicken]

The product is really just a catalyst for the big two to get better. Which is not a bad thing.

[dmore]

The physical product just feels like a novelty. This should absolutely be either an app, launcher or an actual OS option. Given what access it requires though, there's a lot of privacy concerns. Not to mention having to talk your life out in public.

[sebek]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

00:02 🐇 *Introduction to Rabbit R1 AI Device*
- Discussion about the Rabbit R1, an AI hardware device.
- Initial intrigue sparked by social media teasers.
- Identified features: microphone, speaker, camera, and a screen for natural language input tasks.
01:28 🗣️ *Natural Language Input and Use Cases*
- Exploration of natural language input through a video demonstration.
- Examples of commands: ordering an Uber, finding a podcast, checking the fridge, and more.
- Emphasis on the device's focus on understanding and executing natural language tasks efficiently.
02:53 🤔 *Challenges and Expectations*
- Reflection on the challenges faced by current AI assistants in understanding human-like commands.
- Desire for AI to be as helpful as a human assistant, eliminating the need for specific prompts.
- Skepticism about how well the Rabbit R1 can perform in real-life scenarios and concerns about its effectiveness.
03:35 📱 *Comparison with Existing Solutions*
- Comparison with existing AI assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa.
- Presentation of the Rabbit R1 as a solution to reduce the complexity of app interactions.
- Debate on whether a dedicated hardware device is necessary or if improvements can be made to existing platforms.
05:24 🔄 *Large Action Model and Context Awareness*
- Discussion on the significance of large language models, specifically mentioning Transformers.
- Importance of understanding context in voice interactions with virtual assistants.
- Theoretical advantages of a large action model for providing a more natural and context-aware AI experience.
06:47 📐 *Design and Form Factor*
- Commentary on the design and physical attributes of the Rabbit R1.
- Mention of its size, appearance resembling a phone, and the involvement of teenage engineering.
- The comparison of size with existing devices and considerations about practicality.
08:36 💡 *App vs. Dedicated Hardware Debate*
- Exploration of whether the Rabbit R1's functionalities could have been implemented as a mobile app.
- Raised questions about the necessity of a dedicated hardware device.
- Mention of potential updates to existing assistants rendering dedicated hardware less relevant.
10:29 📉 *Long-Term Viability and Market Dynamics*
- Consideration of the company's recent funding rounds and rapid entry into the market.
- Speculation on the long-term viability of the Rabbit R1 in a competitive landscape.
- Reference to the different approaches between Rabbit and other companies like Humane.
11:38 🌐 *Multimodal AI and Prompt Engineering*
- Acknowledgment of the impressive multimodal AI capabilities demonstrated by Rabbit.
- Discussion on the evolving trend of reducing the need for specific trigger words in voice interactions.
- Insight into the potential ease of use through multimodal AI advancements.
13:30 🔗 *Integration with Existing Platforms*
- Emphasis on the integration of Rabbit R1 with various accounts and apps for streamlined tasks.
- Suggested alternatives where the Rabbit features could be added to Google Assistant or Siri.
- Debate on the likelihood of major players incorporating similar features in the near future.
16:19 🌈 *Aesthetic and Trust Considerations*
- Brief mention of the device's bright orange color as part of the trend of colorful tech.
- Expression of trust concerns regarding AI, comparing trust levels with current smartphone usage.
- Reflecting on the assumption of trust required for effective AI interactions.
16:33 🚗 *Rabbit R1 Use Cases and Trust in Technology*
- Discussion on the execution and trust in privacy when using AI devices.
- People's tendency to shop around for options, even in tasks like calling an Uber or planning a trip.
- Balancing trust and preference in utilizing AI for various tasks.
18:11 🔄 *Training Mode and Universal Access*
- Introduction to Rabbit R1's training mode for interacting with different services.
- Theoretical capability to access any app through training and using prompts.
- Comparison to Google Assistant for developers and the potential of universal access.
19:36 🎶 *Customizing Actions and Potential Limitations*
- Exploring the concept of training Rabbit R1 for specific tasks not initially supported.
- The potential of user-generated actions and customization.
- Acknowledgment of challenges, such as changes in UI or website tweaks affecting functionality.
21:55 💡 *Potential Use Cases and Market Adoption*
- Speculation on the two potential directions for market adoption.
- The possibility of users finding specific tasks to enhance their workflow.
- Comparison to other niche devices like the Stream Deck and potential modding community.
23:17 📱 *Comparison to Palm Phone and Social Media Integration*
- Discussing Rabbit R1's role compared to a phone and potential limitations.
- Addressing concerns about social media integration and messaging.
- Consideration of scenarios where Rabbit R1 might be useful as a secondary device.
25:14 ⚙️ *Device Material, OLED Screen, and Charging*
- Thoughts on the material quality, suggesting a desire for a premium version.
- Speculation about the potential for an OLED screen and concerns about charging.
- Personal preferences for a more premium build of the device.
27:33 🌐 *Connectivity, Siri, and Google Assistant*
- Discussing the connectivity and potential competition with Siri and Google Assistant.
- Speculation on the future development and potential integration of Rabbit R1 features.
- Comparing Rabbit R1 to Clubhouse in terms of being a hardware or feature-centric product.
28:45 🤖 *Modding Community and Product Strategy*
- Predicting the emergence of a modding community and unique uses for Rabbit R1.
- Considering the product strategy of Rabbit, focusing on affordability and widespread adoption.
- Acknowledging the potential challenges and uncertainties surrounding the product's success.

Made with HARPA AI

[dubb]

I see HUGE potential in the accessibility market.

[MoshunStudios]

15:40 I love that Google basically did a dad joke and essentially said, 'Okay, you're an Uber' 🤣🤣🤣

[veritypickle]

Mom says she already has a rabbit in her drawer.

[tonglu]

I pre-ordered one, one of the 5th batch. Yes, I agree I'm paying $200 for an app. But if it can deliver just 70% of what the keynote promised, it'd be one of my main apps if not the app I use the most to interact with the other main apps. Netflix costs more every year. And why shouldn't it come with a beautifully designed physical UI?

[josiahnewman]

They are trying to have a paradigm shift away from apps to AI as the primary OS. This could be really good for attention and healthy human interaction. Def some challenges there but I see what they are going for and I’m here for it. It’s serving the purpose of a dumb phone by approaching it from the opposite direction. Point being to give you your life back.

[nicolasp]

I think if you think about what it is trying to be, it actually makes sense.

If you have a human personal assistant, that is with you most of the time, your communication is mostly outloud. When that person is first hired, they will take some time to learn how you like to travel, what restaurants you like, where you shop, etc. At first they will ask a lot of clarifying questions that will diminish over time. After they learn, simple commands result in the desired outcome.

You tell the assistant what you want and they take care of most tasks, and while you still have a phone, it is mainly for personal communication and entertainment.

The issue with this, and other new technology, is that it is meant to do what a person does, but people expect it to work better, cheaper, and more seamless than someone hired to do the job.