Rivian CEO Outlines Plan to License AI and Autonomy Tech

Rivian is more vertically integrated than it was a couple of years ago, according to TechCrunch. It has developed AI models to power its in-vehicle assistant and is building the automated-driving stack for passenger vehicles and future robotaxis through a partnership with Uber. It is also developing a 5 nm processor with Arm and TSMC, and it has a $5.8 billion joint technology venture with Volkswagen Group focused on electric architecture and software. Scaringe discussed expanding the Volkswagen joint venture to cover AI and autonomy, and licensing Rivian’s technology to “many different brands,” TechCrunch reported.

Scaringe’s ambitions extend beyond Rivian. He created a micromobility skunkworks program that has since spun out into a startup called Also. He also founded an industrial robotics startup, Mind Robotics, which is now 31% owned by Rivian and counts the automaker as a prospective customer. Onstage at Disrupt, Scaringe announced that former Ford, Apple and Tesla executive Doug Field has been hired as president of Mind Robotics.

In the interview, Scaringe said autonomy could reshape Rivian’s own vehicle lineup beyond its planned R2 and R3 models. “Where it gets really interesting is then you think beyond R2 and R3 and start to imagine the form factors that you want to build for a personally owned autonomous vehicle,” he said. “It can create dramatically different experiences.” He added that he is “wildly excited” about the next 10 years in transportation because of what the technology enables designers and engineers to consider.

TechCrunch described the direction as a move toward becoming a “tech supplier,” with licensing of its electric architecture, software, AI models and autonomy stack as one route. A successful robotaxi launch with Uber could open the door to more deals, the report said.