Rivian hosted its Autonomy & AI event in Palo Alto, California, revealing new hardware and software for enhanced driver assistance in its electric vehicles. The company introduced its first in-house AI processor and plans to integrate lidar into the upcoming R2 SUV. These advancements aim to expand hands-free driving capabilities starting in 2026.
At its Palo Alto headquarters, Rivian showcased significant updates to its autonomy technology during the Autonomy & AI event. The centerpiece is the Rivian Autonomy Processor (RAP1), the company's inaugural in-house AI chip. This multi-chip module integrates processor and memory, optimized for AI and autonomous driving computations. The Gen 3 Autonomy Computer, featuring two RAP1 modules, will power the R2 electric SUV. Rivian claims this system is 2.5 times more energy-efficient than the current Gen 2 setup and offers four times the performance, processing about 5 billion pixels of sensor data per second.
The R2 will incorporate a lidar array discreetly placed in the roofline above the windshield, avoiding bulky designs like those on the Volvo EX90. Complementing this are 11 cameras with a total resolution of 65 megapixels and five redesigned radar units. Rivian has removed ultrasonic parking sensors, relying on the radars' short-range precision.
On the software side, Rivian's Large Driving Model, inspired by large language model technologies, will drive the Autonomy Plus suite. Launching in early 2026 for R1 owners, it enables hands-free driving on 3.5 million miles of U.S. and Canadian roads, including non-highway areas with clear lane markings. The upgrade costs $2,500 one-time or $50 monthly. For R2 vehicles, this evolves to point-to-point hands-free operation, eyes-off driving, and eventual Level 4 autonomy under defined conditions, with safety prioritized in development.
Rivian also introduced the Rivian Assistant, an AI voice interface for natural language interactions. Launching early next year on first- and second-generation R1T and R1S models, and by late 2026 on R2, it integrates with apps like Google Calendar. A demo showed it rescheduling meetings, searching nearby restaurants, and sharing options with updated ETAs via conversational commands.
