Rabbit’s r1 AI assistant, which garnered attention at CES, has released some updates, though they may not address the concerns of its critics. The device now features a “beta rabbit” mode that enhances its conversational AI capabilities, particularly with complex or multi-step tasks. This mode is designed to handle instructions that require follow-up questions when the AI is uncertain. For instance, users can ask the AI to suggest books similar to The Power of Now, provide details like page length, year of release, and ratings, and save this information as a note, along with author pictures.
While these features showcase the AI’s ability to manage tasks like creating travel itineraries or finding product deals, they may be more impressive in demos than in practical use. Issues such as unpredictable itineraries and inconvenient web-scraping for comparisons suggest that the device may struggle with real-world application, especially given its small size. The AI’s ability to recommend books also raises concerns about the reliability of its sources.
The update also includes improvements to alarms and timers, though some examples highlight the limitations of the AI. For example, asking it to set a timer for baking cookies without specifying details like temperature or quantity could lead to errors. However, more specific queries, like determining the baking time for a certain number of cookies at a specific temperature, could be handled effectively.
Despite these updates, the much-anticipated “large action model” (LAM) remains absent. Initially promoted in January, the LAM was described as a model capable of navigating phone and web app interfaces autonomously to complete tasks. To date, this capability has not been demonstrated beyond controlled demos, and if any actions are utilizing it, they appear indistinguishable from those performed by standard APIs or action scripts.
While the potential of the Rabbit r1 is still recognized, its practical utility remains in question. Users and reviewers alike are awaiting further developments, particularly regarding the LAM, which has yet to materialize in a functional form. Rabbit has been contacted for updates on this feature, and any new information will be shared as it becomes available.
