Crypto and AI Hardware That Turned Heads in 2024

From handheld AI assistants to humanoid robots, this year’s hardware innovations showcase the growing convergence of artificial intelligence, cryptography and consumer technology.

Despite fears that the AI ​​boom could lead to more toxic waste by 2030, more and more products are being introduced. The hardware landscape has radically transformed, with companies large and small racing to get AI out of the cloud and into the hands of consumers.

Meanwhile, crypto hardware continues to meet the needs of its users, with manufacturers learning hard lessons about pricing and practicality.

This year’s flagship products paint a picture of an industry in transition, where success depends not only on technological innovation, but also on the right balance between a product’s capability and its accessibility.

In no particular order, we’ve rounded up seven devices that are grabbing attention in 2024, and in some cases, we’ve redefined their categories entirely.

Rabbit R1

In a year dominated by AI hardware launches, the Rabbit R1 emerged as a standout, if not a favorite. At an accessible $199, this pocket-sized AI assistant has earned praise for succeeding where others have stumbled.

The device’s Large Action Model technology allows it to control other applications with impressive speed: most responses occur within 1.5 to 2 seconds. according to tech reviewer Lewis Hilsenteger of Unbox Therapy.

“What the hardware represents is an opportunity to get people excited about a new method of input, one that is no longer touch-based or app-based,” Hilsenteger noted in his video review.

The R1’s success contrasts with that of more expensive rivals, suggesting that in the burgeoning AI hardware market, affordability and practicality may trump premium positioning.

Human AI Pin

If the Rabbit R1 represents the potential of AI hardware, then the Humane AI Pin serves as a warning against the dangers of over-promising and under-delivering. Despite backing from tech industry luminaries and a sleek design, the $699 device — plus a $24 monthly subscription — faced brutal criticism after its launch.

“Should you buy this thing? This one’s easy. Nope. Nuh-uh. No way,” David Pierce wrote in The edgethe scathing criticism of. Reviews pointed to slow performance, limited features, and a constant need for internet connectivity.

Receiving the pin became a learning moment for the industry, highlighting the gap between the promises of AI and its current practical limits.

Figure 02 Humanoid robot

While mainstream AI was grabbing headlines, Figure AI quietly advanced the state of the art in humanoid robotics with its Figure 02. The robot’s enhanced AI system and enhanced computer vision are powered by six AI-enabled RGB cameras, along with other hardware advancements.

The company’s partnership with OpenAI brings advanced language and visual processing capabilities to the platform.

“These robots can eliminate the need for dangerous and unwanted jobs, allowing us to live happier, more purposeful lives,” said Brett Adcock, founder of Figure AI.

With a valuation of $2.6 billion and the backing of tech giants like Microsoft and Nvidia, Figure 02 indicates that the era of practical humanoid robots may be closer than we think.

Solana Researcher

Following the unexpected success of its Saga smartphone, Solana Mobile is doubling down with the Seeker. Revealed this year and scheduled for release in 2025, the $500 device has already secured 140,000 pre-orders, suggesting a strong market appetite for crypto-native mobile devices.

The Seeker promises significant improvements over its predecessor, including improved cameras (108-megapixel and 32-megapixel sensors), improved battery life, and what Solana Mobile CEO Emmett Hollyer calls “a significant increase” in processing power.

“Of course it will be an awards magnet,” Hollyer said. Decryptreferencing the airdrop appeal that helped Saga sell out in late 2023. “But it’s also going to open some one-of-a-kind experience doors that I think will be new for Seeker versus Saga.”

BitBoy One Gaming Handheld

Bridging the worlds of retro gaming and crypto, the BitBoy One represents a new approach to hardware wallets. This $500 device combines gaming capabilities with Bitcoin storage and DePIN mining features, all in a nostalgic Game Boy-inspired design.

Although its processing power limits it to PlayStation-era and earlier games, the device’s multifunctionality could appeal to crypto enthusiasts looking for more engagement than traditional hardware wallets offer.

We’ve also written about other crypto gaming handhelds that have made waves this year, and the burgeoning space looks exciting as we approach 2025. The BitBoy One recently began shipping, and Decrypt is currently testing it – stay tuned for more coverage in the new year.

Nakamoto Chronograph

The limited edition Nakamoto Chronograph from luxury watchmaker Franck Muller brings high-end watchmaking to the crypto world. We have not written about this timepiece, but one of the Decrypt writers had the chance to try it out at Token2049 in Singapore earlier this year.

Limited to just 100 pieces, the carbon fiber watch features the manufacturer’s iconic Vanguard shape and a sophisticated Swiss automatic movement. Inside its 45mm case, the Chronograph showcases Muller’s signature craftsmanship with its Swiss FM 0800 automatic movement, which offers a 42-hour power reserve. The watch is also waterproof up to 30 meters.

The carbon fiber construction and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protect the complex mechanics, while the black alligator leather strap and deployment clasp provide the elegance required for a true collector’s item.

“Satoshi Nakamoto ingeniously intertwined technical, economic and legal complexities to design Bitcoin,” the watchmaker said, comparing Bitcoin’s creator to Muller’s propensity for “timeless” symbols of elegance and innovation.

The watch’s homage to Bitcoin’s anonymous creator extends beyond its name, with design elements referencing blockchain technology and crypto culture.

Although it is priced at a huge price $54,600– placing it firmly in the luxury category, the chronograph represents the growing acceptance of crypto culture in more traditional areas.

AirMoney design

As decentralized physical infrastructure networks, or DePINs, have gained traction this year, some projects have been quick to capitalize on the trend: AirMoney’s Degn device claims to be the first hardware wallet purpose-built for this emerging ecosystem.

The device combines traditional wallet security with active network participation features, including built-in node mining capabilities and physical controls for trading. The project positions its device as “purpose-built” for cryptographic engagement, in the same way that a Kindle is explicitly designed for reading.

Its most striking feature is its physical interface: a touch button to adjust leverage and OLED buttons that provide haptic feedback during trades. The design philosophy prioritizes tangible interaction with digital assets, marking a departure from the purely screen-based interfaces common to most crypto hardware.

This targeted approach could set a new standard for crypto hardware, moving from simple storage to more active participation in the ecosystem.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair and Andrew Hayward