Rabbit CEO Defends $200 AI Doohickey, Says 'It's Not an App'

Rabbit CEO Jesse Lyu defended the new $200 Rabbit R1, emphasizing that it's not just another app but requires specific hardware to run its "bespoke" code. Despite the device's limited current capabilities and the ability of tech bloggers to replicate some of its functions on standard smartphones, Lyu insists that the Rabbit OS and its AI require specialized firmware and cloud operations.

Critics argue that the Rabbit R1, which is based on older hardware and open-source software, does not yet justify its price tag, especially given its limited functionality and initial poor battery life. Although Rabbit has updated the device to improve battery performance, early reviews suggest the technology still has significant limitations in practical use.