Rabbit sells out 10,000 units of its R1 pocket AI companion in one day

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1. Rabbit sells out 10,000 units of its R1 pocket AI companion in one day

Rabbit has sold out 10,000 units of its R1 pocket AI companion, the $199 'Large Action Model', in just one day after its CES 2024 debut. The startup announced that it sold 10,000 units in just one day, beating the previous record of 500 devices sold on launch day. The R1 is a pocket-sized device that uses a "Large Action Model" as a universal controller for apps, allowing it to perform tasks like playing music, buying groceries, and sending messages without a phone.

The device also allows users to train it to interact with specific apps. Although the first batch is sold out, preorders for the R1 can still be placed on Rabbit's website. Delivery is expected between April and May 2024, with orders placed before the first batch will start shipping in March.

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2. New material found by AI could reduce lithium use in batteries

Microsoft and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have discovered a new substance that could reduce lithium use in batteries by up to 70%. The material, called N2116, is a solid-state electrolyte that has been tested and developed into a working prototype. The process, which could have taken over two decades using traditional lab research methods, involved using advanced AI and high-performance computing to solve complex scientific and mathematical tasks.

The material has the potential to be a sustainable energy storage solution, as solid-state batteries are safer than traditional liquid or gel-like lithium. The AI-derived material has the potential to be used to power a lightbulb and accelerate the innovation cycle in the lithium-ion battery industry.

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3. AI-generated ads using Taylor Swift's likeness dupe fans

AI-generated video spots featuring Taylor Swift's likeness endorsing a fake Le Creuset cookware giveaway have duped some fans into buying into the scam. While Swift may be a fan of Le Creuset, she has no official marketing ties to the company. Ads permeating Facebook and other social media platforms would have you think otherwise.

The woman seen in the faux promotional video is neither Swift nor even a real person. Instead, AI has been used to replicate the singer's voice and appearance to create a deepfake.

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4. OpenAI debuts GPT Store for users to buy and sell customized chatbots

OpenAI has launched its GPT Store, a marketplace where paid ChatGPT users can buy and sell specialized chatbot agents based on the company's language models. The new store allows users to offer and monetize a broader range of tools, including chatbot agents with their own personalities or themes. OpenAI has already created over 3 million custom versions of ChatGPT and plans to highlight useful GPT tools within the store every week.

The store has been compared to Apple's App store, fostering new development in the AI space from a wider range of users. The company plans to launch a revenue-sharing program in the first quarter of this year, through which builders will be paid based on user engagement with their GPTs. The new store is available to subscribers of its premium services ChatGPT Plus and Enterprise, as well as a new subscription tier called Team, which costs $25 per month for each user.

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5. CES 2024: The weirdest tech, gadgets and AI claims from Las Vegas

CES 2024 saw the unveiling of eight strange gadgets and tech claims. Swarovski unveiled the AX Visio 10×32, an AI-powered binocular for birders, and Flush, an app that allows businesses to rent out bathrooms for additional revenue. Clicks Technology's extended iPhone keyboard turns phones into a BlackBerry-era relic, while Sound Drive's dynamic sound mixing system matches music to driving cadence.

LG's Marble Wi-Fi 6 OpenWrt Router is a router that looks like a picture frame, and LG's Smart Home AI Agent can call 911 for users. Kohler's PureWash E930 Bidet Seat features voice commands for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and Skyted's "Mobility Privacy Mask" and "Hybrid Silent Mask" absorb voice frequencies in noisy environments for more privacy.

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