Setup guide · May 16, 2026
How to set up and use the Rabbit R1
Total time: about 15 minutes. The Rabbit R1 is more useful as a voice-first AI assistant than as the Large Action Model app-replacement layer the original launch keynote promised. This guide sets up the device for the workflow it actually delivers — and notes the features from the original marketing that have either narrowed or never shipped.
For: Rabbit R1
Step by step
- 1
Unbox and charge
The R1 ships in a small orange box with the device, a USB-C cable, and a quick-start card. Charge to full before first use — about an hour. The scroll wheel and push-to-talk button are the primary inputs.
- 2
Activate the device on rabbit.tech
Power on the R1. The screen prompts you to scan a QR code with your phone, which opens rabbit.tech/activate. Create a Rabbit account if you don't have one. Activation requires Wi-Fi — connect the R1 to your network through the activation flow.
- 3
Update firmware
Rabbit has shipped continuous firmware updates since launch. The R1 prompts for any pending update during activation; let it run (typically 10-15 minutes). Up-to-date firmware includes 'teach mode' and stability improvements that the launch firmware lacked.
- 4
Configure your assistant preferences
In the rabbit.tech web hub, set your default voice, language, and assistant personality. The R1's voice assistant is competent for general queries — weather, definitions, conversational follow-ups, basic math. Set realistic expectations: it is closer to a portable ChatGPT than to the original LAM demo.
- 5
Try a few queries on the device
Push and hold the side button to talk. Ask a general question ('What time does the post office close?'). The R1 responds via the built-in speaker. The screen displays the response text. For a photo, rotate the camera up and push the button — basic image queries work for object identification.
- 6
Set up Teach Mode if you want automation
Teach Mode lets you record web-based workflows (logging into a service, filling a form, navigating to a specific page) and have the R1 replay them. Open rabbit.tech/teach to record. This is the closest thing the R1 has to the original LAM pitch, and it works for narrow deterministic workflows — not general 'book me an Uber' agentic behavior.
- 7
Charge daily and accept the realistic capability set
Battery is modest — plan to charge daily for moderate use. The R1 is best used as a curiosity, a voice-first AI companion for short interactions, or a Teach Mode automation runner. It is not a smartphone replacement; treat it as a complement.
Total cost of ownership
- Hardware
- ~$199
- Subscription
- None required (basic AI included; some queries may incur cloud-side costs to Rabbit)
- Year 1 total
- ~$199
- 3-year total
- ~$199
The R1 is the cheapest AI device on this list. The cost-of-ownership story is favorable; the question is whether you'll use it. We recommend buying only if you specifically value the Teenage Engineering design or want to experiment with the Teach Mode automation surface.
Pitfalls worth knowing
Expecting LAM-level autonomy
The Large Action Model pitch from the launch keynote did not materialize at the scale shown. Teach Mode is the only piece that resembles it, and it works only for narrow web workflows.
Treating the R1 as a phone replacement
It is not. Use the R1 alongside your phone for voice-first interactions; not in place of it.
Battery life misestimates
Heavy use (continuous voice queries, vision processing, screen on) drains the battery much faster than light use. Real-world all-day use requires conservative pacing or a mid-day top-up.
FAQ
- Does the original LAM pitch work?
- Partially, through Teach Mode for narrow deterministic web workflows. The general 'AI books your Uber and orders DoorDash' demo did not materialize at meaningful scale.
- Should I buy a Rabbit R1 in 2026?
- Only if you collect interesting AI hardware or specifically value the Teenage Engineering industrial design. For practical AI assistant use, your phone with ChatGPT is more capable.
- Is the R1 still receiving updates?
- Yes, as of this writing. The cadence is slower than at launch but the device continues to receive firmware support.
- Can the R1 work without internet?
- Almost no. All AI queries route to the cloud. The R1 needs Wi-Fi or paired-phone connectivity for nearly everything useful.
- What is Teach Mode useful for?
- Repeatable web workflows — logging into a service, filling a recurring form, navigating to a dashboard. Not general agentic behavior.