SANTA MONICA — AI startup rabbit Inc. has named Jesper Kouthoofd, founder of teenage engineering, as its Chief Design Officer. In his new role, Kouthoofd will work closely with rabbit founder and CEO Jesse Lyu to steer the design direction of rabbit’s groundbreaking products, while continuing his leadership as head of design and CEO at teenage engineering.
A Partnership Built on Shared Vision
“When building something truly different, assembling the right team is crucial,” said Jesse Lyu. “Jesper has turned teenage engineering into a global icon in industrial design, crafting products that are instantly recognizable for their elegance and innovation. Our decade-long friendship and collaboration have been a constant source of inspiration for me. Jesper and his team played a pivotal role in designing our first product, the rabbit r1, and I’m thrilled to have him officially join us as we redefine the intersection of AI and design.”
Jesper Kouthoofd expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture: “The consumer electronics industry is at a transformative juncture where AI is opening up incredible possibilities. Partnering with Jesse to place design at the heart of this evolution feels like the perfect opportunity at the perfect time. I’m excited to channel my energy and passion into shaping this new frontier. Forward!”
Designing the Future of AI
Rabbit debuted its first product, the rabbit r1, at CES 2024. The r1 is a custom-built AI device running on rabbit’s proprietary Large Action Model and features a natural-language operating system. Its industrial design, developed in collaboration with teenage engineering, has been celebrated for its retrofuturistic aesthetic and user-friendly functionality, earning accolades across the consumer technology sector.
The partnership between Lyu and Kouthoofd began over a decade ago, fueled by a mutual appreciation for synthesizers, music, and product design. Their collaboration became official when teenage engineering contributed to the design of Lyu’s earlier Raven H and Raven R speakers, which won industry awards. Lyu has served on teenage engineering’s board of directors since 2020, further solidifying their shared commitment to innovation.
Driving Design-Led Innovation
Kouthoofd’s appointment marks a significant step in rabbit’s mission to revolutionize AI hardware by integrating cutting-edge technology with design that enhances user experiences. Together, Lyu and Kouthoofd aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible in consumer AI devices, building on their shared legacy of design excellence.
