Hailed as a hopeful AI tool once, the Rabbit R1 has majorly decreased usage. 100k people bought it after its eagerly awaited launch, but now only 5k use it regularly. According to Jesse Lyu, Rabbit’s founder, who spoke with Fast Company, this data indicates that the device had to hit the market before being fully functional to keep momentum against large tech industries. This first launch might have played a role in the R1’s hasty loss of appeal.
A rapid decline of Rabbit R1
AI tools were enjoying a period of exhilaration earlier this year. At CES, the Rabbit R1 made a lot of noise with its unique orange design and its futuristic feature promises. Humane’s AI Pin turned out to be another AI product that caught the attention of many tech lovers. After hitting the market, it was obvious that the gadgets hadn’t fully matched the hype surrounding them. Many organizations criticized the R1 in reviews, and with this characterization, many early adopters were disappointed. Users were left wondering whether these devices are fit for prime time, given that the promised innovations have not materialized.
The statistics do the talking. With just 5,000 users active daily, Rabbit R1’s future looks tenuous. Humane’s AI Pin has reached a similar conclusion since returns have surpassed sales, revealing widespread discontent. This raises the question: Are individual AI appliances, such as the Rabbit R1, sustainable or doomed before they begin?
Is the October update the solution Rabbit needs?
The forthcoming update planned for October 1st gives the Rabbit R1 one more chance. This “large action model” update is designed to expand the device’s capabilities, allowing it to log into websites and order tickets or food on command. This update might be a revolution, inspiring people to clean their Rabbit R1s off. Nevertheless, the competition is harsh. The integration of AI systems by Apple and Google into their smartphones could make AI gadgets standalone obsolete. According to market forecasts, users may find accepting another item in their pockets with the Rabbit R1 tough.
The uncertain future of Rabbit R1 makes it unclear whether the forthcoming update will reignite interest or will result in another trivial chapter in the history of AI gadgets that did not quite take off.
Image credits: Rabbit
