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THE RABBIT R1 AI GADGET, NOW A GAME CONSOLE

The 199 dollar Rabbit R1 AI gadget runs Android underneath. A community project unlocks it, and ETA PRIME plays Minecraft, emulators and Steam Link on it.

by RabbitHoleEscapeR1 team; footage by ETA PRIME

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

AIAutomation

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repo 434 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Videos
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COMPAREE VERDICT

The Rabbit R1 is a 199 dollar AI gadget. In April 2024 Android Authority got its launcher app installed and running on a Pixel 6a phone, showing how much of it is an Android app; Rabbit disputed that the R1 is 'just an Android app'. Rabbit sold more than 100,000 units, but about 5,000 people used it daily (Fast Company via Mezha, Sep 2024). The open project r1_escape gives owners scripts for Windows and Linux that enable OEM unlocking, unlock the bootloader (which wipes all user data), disable AVB and flash a userdebug AOSP 13 image with Google services. The README also describes going back to stock with mtkclient, which takes 20 minutes to a few hours. In ETA PRIME's video the R1 runs Android 13 and plays Rebel Racing, Minecraft, RetroArch (GBA), Dreamcast and PSP emulators, and streams PC games with Steam Link. This is for R1 owners whose gadget sits in a drawer. The repository has no license file and was last updated in August 2024.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • —Scripts for Windows (r1.ps1) and Linux (r1.sh): enable OEM unlocking, unlock the bootloader (wipes all user data), disable AVB, flash a userdebug AOSP 13 image with Google services.
  • —Going back to stock is described in the README with mtkclient; it takes 20 minutes to a few hours.
  • —No license file in the repository.
  • —Last push to the repository: 13 Aug 2024.
  • —Gaming footage: ETA PRIME (Rebel Racing, Minecraft, RetroArch, Dreamcast, PSP, Steam Link).

Parts to buy

2 items

From our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.

  • Rabbit R1 (it cost 199 dollars)Find
  • USB cableFind

Can I build this?

Printnothing required
Buya Rabbit R1 (it cost 199 dollars), a USB cable
Toolsa Windows PC with admin PowerShell or an x86_64 Linux machine with root access; mtkclient for restoring stock
Skillsrunning command-line scripts, installing drivers on Windows
Timenot stated; restoring stock takes 20 minutes to a few hours according to the README
Costnot stated beyond the R1 itself
SafetyNo electrical hazards. Unlocking the bootloader wipes all user data.

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

Videos

The Rabbit R1 Can Now Play Games & Run Emulators! We Installed Android

ETA PRIME: the R1 on Android 13 playing Rebel Racing, Minecraft, RetroArch (GBA), Dreamcast and PSP emulators, and Steam Link.

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Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Read the README and install the drivers (Windows: adb/fastboot and MediaTek Preloader USB VCOM drivers. Linux: root access, x86_64 only.)
  2. 2.Back up anything you need(Unlocking the bootloader wipes all user data.)
  3. 3.Run the script for your system(Windows: .\r1.ps1 in an admin PowerShell. Linux: ./r1.sh. You may be asked to turn off and plug in the device several times.)
  4. 4.If you see 'Your device isn't certified' (The README links Google's registration page for uncertified devices.)
  5. 5.To go back to stock (The README restores an R1 backup with mtkclient; it takes 20 minutes to a few hours.)

Resources

Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.

KNOWN ISSUES

  • Unlocking the bootloader wipes all user data.
  • On Windows the script can stall if the right driver is not selected; the README says to check Device Manager and pick the Preloader USB VCOM or fastboot driver.
  • Linux: only x86_64 machines, not ARM PCs.
  • After booting you may get 'Your device isn't certified' notifications; the README links Google's uncertified device registration.
  • The repository has no license file and has not been updated since August 2024.

Does it work on Windows and Linux?

Yes, according to the README. Windows needs adb/fastboot drivers and MediaTek Preloader USB VCOM drivers and an admin PowerShell. Linux needs root access; only x86_64 machines and Arch, Debian and Fedora are supported.

Can I go back to stock?

Yes. The README describes restoring an R1 backup with mtkclient, which takes 20 minutes to a few hours.

What does the unlock do to my data?

Unlocking the bootloader wipes all user data.

What did ETA PRIME run on it?

Rebel Racing, Minecraft, RetroArch (GBA), Dreamcast and PSP emulators, and Steam Link streaming from a PC, on Android 13.

Is there a license?

No. The repository has no license file.

Community builds

No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.

Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

About 5,000 of more than 100,000 Rabbit R1 owners used it daily. If yours is in a drawer, would you turn it into a game console?

CompareeTEAM7d ago

Practical notes from our verification: the repository has no license file and its last push was in August 2024. What is documented: the unlock wipes all user data, and going back to stock with mtkclient is described in the README. The games list comes from ETA PRIME's video: Rebel Racing, Minecraft, RetroArch, Dreamcast, PSP and Steam Link.

RabbitHoleEscapeR1 team; footage by ETA PRIME

r1_escape is a set of scripts published on GitHub by RabbitHoleEscapeR1. The README credits mtkclient and thanks @jadentha and @Davis8483 for the stock restore method. The gaming footage comes from ETA PRIME, who pre-ordered his R1 and installed Android with this project. Software: RabbitHoleEscapeR1 team. Footage: ETA PRIME.

GitHub

Star the project on GitHub

DISCLAIMER

  • Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
  • Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
  • Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
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