After a successful presentation at CES, Rabbit is allowing journalists to try out the R1, a small orange gadget with an AI-powered voice interface. This comes just weeks after the launch of the Humane Ai Pin, which is also being touted as a new type of mobile device with AI at its center.
While we’re still waiting for in-depth reviews (as opposed to a first hands-on experience) of the R1, there are some pretty stark differences between the two devices.
Most notably, the Ai Pin is screenless, relying instead on a voice interface and projector, while the R1 has a 2.88-inch screen (although it’s intended to be used for much more than entering your WiFi password). And while the AI PIN costs $699, plus a $24 monthly subscription, the R1 only costs $199. According to Brian Heater of TechCrunch, both show the value of good industrial design.
It seems that neither the Ai Pin (which received truly scathing reviews) nor the R1 fully convincingly demonstrate that it’s time to replace our smartphones – or that AI chatbots are the best way to get information on the Internet. But at least it’s exciting to see that the hardware industry feels wide open again. Press play, then let us know if you play to try out the R1 or the Ai Pin!
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