Rivian Debuts Next-Gen EVs With Lidar, Chips, Autonomy+

Rivian Automotive announced that its next generation of vehicles will feature lidar sensors, custom chips, and a proprietary autonomy computer, positioning advanced driver-assistance  systems and future self-driving capabilities as central to its growth strategy. The company also detailed pricing and launch timing for its new Autonomy+ subscription, aiming to reassure investors amid slowing US electric vehicle demand. Shares fell 6.1% following the announcements.

The disclosures were made during Rivian’s first “Autonomy and AI Day” in Palo Alto, California. CEO RJ Scaringe highlighted that Rivian has developed its own processors, vehicle computers, and AI models to support autonomous functions. “AI is enabling us to create technology and customer experiences at a rate that is completely different from what we’ve seen in the past,” he said.

Autonomy+ Subscription and Features

Autonomy+ will launch for second-generation vehicles in early 2026, priced at US$2,500 one-time or US$49.99 per month. By comparison, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Supervised package costs US$8,000 upfront or US$99 monthly. The subscription will leverage Rivian’s proprietary autonomy processors and in-house computers, with features added over time.

A near-term software update will introduce “Universal Hands-Free” driving, enabling hands-free operation on more than 3.5 million miles of marked roads in North America. The system will improve through reinforcement learning as vehicles accumulate mileage. Scaringe did not provide a timeline for full autonomy.

Rivian confirmed that lidar and radar sensors will be integrated into its upcoming R2 vehicles, supporting SAE Level 4 automated driving, where vehicles can operate without human attention under typical traffic and weather conditions. Currently, Waymo operates Level 4 robotaxis in select US markets.

Scaringe noted the technology could eventually support robotaxi services, though the initial focus will remain on personally owned vehicles. “While our initial focus will be on personally owned vehicles, which today represent a vast majority of the miles in the United States, this also enables us to pursue opportunities in the rideshare space,” he said.

Rivian joins other automakers pursuing proprietary autonomous systems, including Tesla and General Motors, while Honda, Lucid, and Nissan are partnering with startups as the industry explores multiple technical paths toward higher levels of automation.