In response to the pervasive issue of smartphone addiction and complexity, startups Rabbit and Humane are introducing AI-based gadgets, Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin, respectively, aiming to reimagine the role of these devices in our lives. The race to redefine the practicality of smartphones raises the question: Who is doing it better?
Rabbit R1: Redefining Interaction
Rabbit, led by founder Jesse Lyu, unveiled the Rabbit R1 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The mission is clear: create the simplest computer, so intuitive that users don't need to undergo a learning curve. The Rabbit R1 is a pocketable device armed with a natural language operating system, Rabbit OS, designed to eliminate the need for conventional app interactions.
During the presentation, Lyu emphasized the transformation of smartphones into time-consuming entertainment hubs and criticized the complexity of apps. The Rabbit R1, equipped with an AI model named Large Action Model (LAM), responds to voice commands for various tasks, from ordering food to playing music on Spotify. Rabbit OS not only connects to third-party services but also understands and performs actions through voice commands.
The AI model, Rabbit OS's core, combines a large language model that comprehends user input with a large action model that executes tasks, all driven by artificial intelligence. Lyu highlighted the capability of Rabbit OS to learn by demonstration, remembering user tasks and replicating them upon request. The device is expected to evolve over time as more sequences for popular apps are trained.
Humane AI Pin: A Wearable Search Engine
Humane's AI Pin made its debut last November, presenting an alternative approach to smartphone interaction. Described as a wearable LLM-powered search engine, the Humane AI Pin features Cosmos, an app-less operating system. It redirects user queries to the appropriate tools without requiring app downloads.
The Humane AI Pin offers productivity-enhancing features, including summarizing email inboxes and texts with a "catch me up" option, scanning food for nutritional information using the built-in camera, and real-time translation for seamless communication across languages.
Unlike Rabbit R1, Humane AI Pin aims to collaborate with app developers, allowing them to build tools for integration. The device boasts advanced hardware, including a 13MP camera, a built-in projector, a touchpad, and a Trust Light signaling when recording. It emphasizes summonable companionship whenever needed.
Distinguishing Factors: Hardware and Approach
While both devices share the goal of eliminating traditional smartphones, they differ in hardware and strategy. Rabbit R1, with a speaker, a 2.88-inch touchscreen display, and a rotating camera named the "rabbit eye," intends to rest where smartphones typically reside, perhaps even replacing them eventually. Priced at $199, it emphasizes a more affordable alternative.
On the other hand, Humane AI Pin offers advanced features like a built-in projector, touchpad, and a Trust Light, placing it in a different category. Priced at $699, it aims for a more comprehensive and versatile device.
Awaiting Real-World Performance
As of now, both devices have demonstrated certain functionalities, but gaps in features and real-world performance are yet to be fully addressed. Rabbit R1's open-ended approach and reliance on AI capabilities give it potential flexibility, while Humane AI Pin's hardware sophistication positions it as a comprehensive wearable companion.
Future software updates and developments in functionality may narrow the gap between the two, ultimately shaping the landscape of AI-based gadgets and their role in replacing smartphones. The ongoing competition hints at a potential convergence, but only time will unveil the true winner in the battle against smartphone addiction and complexity.
