In an interview Jesse Lyu, the CEO of Rabbit discussed his partnership with Teenage Engineering and his unconventional decision to steer clear of smartphone development. The key element behind Rabbits approach? The retro futuristic design of the R1, which has already garnered a $10 million in preorders.
Jesse Lyu was relatively unknown until a revealing video on X shed light on his background in AI. Notably he founded Raven Tech, which was later acquired by Baidu in 2017. With a passion for racing Lamborghinis and a fondness for synthesizers Lyus collaboration with Jesper Kouthoofd from Teenage Engineering serves as the foundation for Rabbit’s design philosophy.
Lyu unveiled the Rabbit R1 to the world – an eye catching orange AI device resembling a walkie talkie. Developed in collaboration with Teenage Engineering its design includes a button for voice commands, a substantial scroll wheel and a rotating camera equipped with a privacy door. The R1 simplifies tasks, like vacation bookings and photo editing through its AI “rabbits” – software robots programmed to streamline activities.
With a price tag of $199 the R1 presents an entry point into the world of AI technology garnering a 50,000 preorders in just five days. Despite receiving some criticism regarding the requirement, for a device and the preference for hardware over an app Lyu firmly believes in the significance of having an familiar product to introduce groundbreaking software.
Lyus design philosophy beautifully blends elements of familiarity and innovation. In his collaboration with Teenage Engineering on the Raven H speaker he broke away from designs by incorporating a distinctive LED grid. Continuing this tradition the Rabbit R1 effortlessly combines 90s nostalgia with cutting edge AI capabilities.
When it comes to designing Rabbit Lyu drew inspiration from his experiences with walkie talkies and other analog devices. His intention was to create an approachable experience with the R1 than merely producing another technological gadget.
The timing of Rabbits launch of the R1 aligns with the evolution of AI technology. It offers a combination of nostalgia and innovation. With an eye, towards the future Lyu and his team are determined to redefine AI hardware.
