Rabbit Launches OS3 AI Agent to Run on PCs Without R1
AI startup Rabbit has launched OS3, a new agentic operating system that runs locally on computers without requiring the company's proprietary R1 hardware.
Rabbit is shifting its focus away from its dedicated R1 hardware by introducing OS3, a standalone agentic operating system designed to run across standard desktop platforms. The new software operates locally on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems while leveraging cloud-based processing. This rollout allows users to access Rabbit's agent technology directly on their existing computers, bypassing the need for the startup's original physical device.
The OS3 platform allows users to link up to five devices to a single account and integrate their preferred AI models. Once configured, the system automatically coordinates across these connected devices, local files, applications, and selected AI models to execute complex tasks. Beyond local desktop operation, users can interact with OS3 through a dedicated desktop website, integrated messaging platforms like iMessage and Telegram, or the original R1 device.
This software release coincides with a major pivot in Rabbit's hardware strategy. Founder Jesse Lyu confirmed that the startup has ceased manufacturing the R1 handheld device. However, the company is not abandoning hardware entirely. Instead, Rabbit is developing a new cyberdeck designed for vibe-coding, which will run OS3 and is scheduled to launch within months.
For developers and privacy-conscious users, Rabbit states that OS3 will not copy, store, use, or sell user data, though the company will retain chat histories and associated memories on its servers. Any external AI models connected to the system will process data according to their respective providers' privacy policies. This architecture gives practitioners more flexibility to deploy agents across their daily workflows using their own hardware stacks.
This is our own summary of reporting by The Verge AI
