[MishaalRahman]

"Even if the system app doesn't utilize much of it's permissions, it still at least won't be killed or denied from using microphone just because it's in the background or because the phone display is turned off. And again - how do you achieve Google Assistant-like direct voice activation without system permissions? How do you get rid of Google Assistant without having a ROM that doesn't include it?"

Are you aware that the Rabbit R1 doesn't listen for voice input in the background? If it did you'd have a point and I would've brought that up, but it doesn't hence it CAN be replicated as a regular app.

All interactions on the R1 begin with a push of the PTT (push to talk button)

https://www.rabbit.tech/support/article/use-rabbit-r1

On Android, third-party apps can be set as the default assistant service, which allows them to be launched with a LPP gesture (long press power), diagonal swipe up from the sides when gesture navigation is enabled, or long press of the home button when 3-button navigation is enabled.

You are correct that enabling hotword wakeup support requires system-level access, but since that isn't a function offered by the R1 anyways, your point is moot.

[throwaway11460]

You're right, my bad. I must have mixed it up with the Humane product.