The Rabbit R1, a dedicated AI device that received middling reviews last year, just received a major software update overhauling the entire operating system, Rabbit Inc. founder and CEO Jesse Lyu said Monday in a video posted on X.
In the video, Lyu acknowledges the R1’s shortcomings, saying his team was overwhelmed by the hype and expectations the device received. Since then the R1 has seen 30 updates, but with rabbitOS2 the device’s operating system is getting a complete overhaul.
the old r1 is dead. introducing a totally new experience with rabbitOS 2 + creations.
we realized there was a gap between our early vision and the actual experience we delivered. so we overhauled everything.
0:00 flashback
0:14 facing the facts
2:18 the revamp: rabbitOS 2… pic.twitter.com/xOtyJ6Uilb— rabbit inc. (@rabbit_hmi) September 8, 2025
RabbitOS2 is a more touch-focused interface, letting buyers adjust additional settings with the touchscreen rather than relying on the scroll wheel. People primarily interact with the R1 via voice, and now they can see the flow of conversation on-screen and mute the AI assistant with buttons at the bottom.
One criticism of the R1 was that people didn’t know or understand the AI’s full capabilities as it was largely voice-controlled. A new tile-based user interface allows people to quickly see the various functions the R1 can do. By tapping that tile, users can begin interacting where previously they needed to ask the R1 to perform various functions.
One criticism raised against the R1 was whether it was necessary in a world where almost everyone has a smartphone. With Creations, a new function in rabbitOS2, people can “vibe code” on the device. For example, using their voice users can ask the R1 to code a custom game for them and, after a few minutes, it’ll generate one. Users need access to Rabbit Intern, the company’s AI agent, which can be accessed via desktop. It’ll also be possible to install creations from other Rabbit users.
The Rabbit R1 was released in 2024 amid massive AI hype. It was pitched as a dedicated portable AI device that would use its large action model to connect with various apps and do work on your behalf.
The promise of an AI device that could navigate Spotify or call an Uber all through your voice helped Rabbit Inc. raise $64.7 million over five funding rounds.
In reality, however, the AI model was buggy and the interface was confusing. Reviewers criticized the device as half-baked and too early.
It also was released at about the same time as another dedicated AI device, the Humane AI Pin, which was also critically panned and led some commentators to conclude that AI devices were unnecessary in a smartphone world.
It’s hard to say exactly how much the dedicated AI devices market is worth because AI itself is being integrated across a whole suite of products, from washing machines to necklaces and smart glasses.
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