Image: R1 rabbit
AI has no intention of slowing down in 2023, which has been made all the more evident by just how many AI-powered gadgets we’re seeing trickling into the market. And we don’t mean normal stuff like useful AI features that help enhance photos on phones or picture quality on televisions. No, we’re talking about the real eyebrow-raising stuff.
We already saw a bit of this last year, but the true AI gadget renaissance happened at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where AI was everywhere — whether you wanted it to be or not.
So to celebrate and/or commiserate the injection of AI into more physical stuff, here are some of the more interesting gadgets we’ve seen floating around recently.
Rabbit R1
Image: R1 rabbit
Like I said, there was quite a bit of AI to inject in one’s eyeballs at CES. But the AI gadget that seemed to reign supreme was the Rabbit R1.
Created by AI startup Rabbit, the RT1 adds a dash of whimsy to the 2024 consumer tech scene. It’s not exactly a smartphone, but it tries to mimic one in an unconventional manner.
Powered by the adorably-named Rabbit OS, the R1 is based on a “large action model,” which is quite different from typical app-based interfaces. Instead, it uses a voice-driven method for executing tasks.
Connecting services like Spotify or Uber to the R1 involves navigating an online portal to link them with your Rabbit account. This process might feel like a digital treasure hunt, as users are required to manually connect each desired service. Rabbit assures users that it doesn’t keep login credentials, offloading authentication to the individual apps.
The R1 combines Rabbit’s large action model with OpenAI’s GPT-4 to process spoken commands. The device features an animated rabbit whose ears amusingly perk up when it’s activated.
While it’s a charming touch, the real test will be whether the R1 can outdo the efficiency and convenience of traditional smartphones. Priced at US$199, the Rabbit R1 offers a unique and simplified approach to mobile technology. Whether it will redefine mobile usage or simply be an entertaining yet limited gadget in the tech arsenal remains to be seen.
Humane’s AI Pin
Image: Humane
The AI Pin was THE gadget to look out for in 2023, largely due to the shroud of secrecy surrounding it. Developed by US startup Humane, it’s an AI wearable that clips to your chest and is designed to eliminate the need for a physical screen, like your phone.
Instead, it has a projection system that allows for interactive displays of different information on the user’s hand, eliminating the need for a traditional screen. It can also record your surroundings and motion sensors. Unsurprisingly, it’s also rather pricey, coming in at US$699, and requires a US$ 24-a-month subscription.
Image: Humane
The AI Pin was officially revealed in November, with shipping beginning in March 2024, with priority given to those who placed early orders. It’s also received a chunk of change to the tune of US$200 million in investments from the likes of OpenAI’s Sam Altman.
That being said, it was revealed earlier this month that roughly 4% of the company’s staff were laid off earlier this month. It’ll certainly be interesting to see if such a niche and expensive gadget will actually take off.
ChatGPT for… VWs?
Volkswagen is gearing up to be the first global car maker to bring AI voice assistants to vehicles. Announced on the eve of CES in Las Vegas, VW plans to roll out ChatGPT technology starting in the second quarter of 2024.
The tech upgrade will first appear in VW’s electric vehicle lineup, including the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.7, as well as the new Volkswagen Tiguan, Passat, and a facelifted Golf hatch.
ChatGPT will be bundled with Volkswagen’s existing IDA system, with the company saying that car owners can expect to go beyond simple voice commands for infotainment and climate control. The new system promises ‘real’ conversations, ranging from philosophical musings to practical matters like dinner recipes or online shopping. To wake up the assistant, drivers can either press a new button on the steering wheel or simply say, “Hello IDA”.
Unsurprisingly, Volkswagen is keen to stress the importance of data privacy on this one. ChatGPT in VW cars is designed not to access vehicle data, and all interactions are reportedly deleted immediately after they’re processed. So, if you’ve ever wanted to debate existential dilemmas while driving, here’s your chance.
AI BBQ, anyone?
Image: Seergrills
Seergrills has introduced a high-tech BBQ with a twist: AI for your BBQ. Yes, this is very real.
The BBQ is equipped with sensors that measure the thickness of your steak, feeding this information, along with temperature data, into its NeuralFire processor. This quad-core brain then calculates the ideal proximity of the meat to the heat source and the optimal cooking duration to achieve your desired culinary outcome, as specified on the BBQ’s touchscreen or in its companion app.
The grill also features two infrared burners that cook both sides of your steak simultaneously, cutting down on cooking time significantly.
As much as I don’t feel like a BBQ needs AI, I’ll admit that I would absolutely try it.
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