Rivian, the electric vehicle maker founded by RJ Scaringe, is making a significant push into autonomous driving technology. The company plans to integrate new hardware and software into its vehicles starting with the upcoming R2 SUV model, which is expected to debut in early 2026.
According to Scaringe, the self-driving capabilities will become more robust over time, allowing drivers to hand-free drive from address to address. This means that owners can simply enter their destination on a touchscreen and trust Rivian's vehicle to take them there safely.
The technology behind Rivian's autonomous driving system is significantly advanced compared to Tesla's approach. While Tesla relies heavily on cameras, Rivian will use 65 megapixels of cameras in its vehicles, along with main central radar and individual radar units at each corner, as well as a front-facing lidar integrated into the roofline.
The increased sensor capabilities, particularly with lidar, are crucial for detecting hard objects and mapping surroundings accurately. This multi-sensor approach is commonly used by Alphabet's Waymo to ensure safe and efficient operation of robotaxis.
Despite its promising advancements in autonomous driving technology, Rivian's stock took a hit upon the announcement, falling 1.4% to $16.15 in afternoon Nasdaq trading.
RJ Scaringe's vision for Rivian is not only to enhance the driving experience but also to create a platform that could support robotaxis services. This move may help improve the brand's appeal and potentially attract new customers, especially with its base price of around $45,000, significantly lower than Rivian's competitors.
However, it remains to be seen how this technology will affect sales volume for Rivian, as the loss of federal tax credits for electric vehicles is already dampening U.S. EV demand. Nonetheless, the company's commitment to autonomous driving and its unique approach could set a new standard in the industry, making Rivian an even more formidable rival to Tesla.
According to Scaringe, the self-driving capabilities will become more robust over time, allowing drivers to hand-free drive from address to address. This means that owners can simply enter their destination on a touchscreen and trust Rivian's vehicle to take them there safely.
The technology behind Rivian's autonomous driving system is significantly advanced compared to Tesla's approach. While Tesla relies heavily on cameras, Rivian will use 65 megapixels of cameras in its vehicles, along with main central radar and individual radar units at each corner, as well as a front-facing lidar integrated into the roofline.
The increased sensor capabilities, particularly with lidar, are crucial for detecting hard objects and mapping surroundings accurately. This multi-sensor approach is commonly used by Alphabet's Waymo to ensure safe and efficient operation of robotaxis.
Despite its promising advancements in autonomous driving technology, Rivian's stock took a hit upon the announcement, falling 1.4% to $16.15 in afternoon Nasdaq trading.
RJ Scaringe's vision for Rivian is not only to enhance the driving experience but also to create a platform that could support robotaxis services. This move may help improve the brand's appeal and potentially attract new customers, especially with its base price of around $45,000, significantly lower than Rivian's competitors.
However, it remains to be seen how this technology will affect sales volume for Rivian, as the loss of federal tax credits for electric vehicles is already dampening U.S. EV demand. Nonetheless, the company's commitment to autonomous driving and its unique approach could set a new standard in the industry, making Rivian an even more formidable rival to Tesla.
! Rivian is like the next big thing in EVs and autonomous tech. I mean, 65 megapixels of cameras? That's insane! 
And they're going to integrate lidar into the roofline? That's some serious tech right there 
. I'm thinking about buying an R2 ASAP just because it'll be a statement piece in my driveway 
. The fact that RJ Scaringe is pushing for robotaxis services is genius 
. We might actually see a future where we can just hop in and trust the car to take us wherever we want 
. And yeah, I know Tesla's been doing autonomous driving too, but Rivian's approach is so advanced it's like they're speaking a different language 
. My only concern is if it'll affect sales volume, but I think it's worth taking that risk 
. Can't wait to see what the future holds for this company 
. Autonomous cars are still a pipe dream and people are gonna lose their minds when they realize how much it costs to own one of these fancy R2 SUVs... $45k is crazy for a car that can drive itself, especially with all the tech updates coming down the line. And don't even get me started on the price drop in stock... what's up with that? Do people really think this is a good thing for Rivian or are they just trying to appease the shareholders? 
! I mean, Rivian's goin' all out with them 65 megapixel cameras and lidar on the roof... it's like they're tryna be the next Waymo 
. And you know what? I think it's about time someone did. Tesla's been gettin' a little too comfortable with their "autopilot" thing, if you ask me 
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. But if anyone can make autonomous driving sexy again, it's RJ Scaringe and his crew 
. They're like the SpaceX of electric autos, minus the whole "gonna put humans on Mars" thing 
... or am I? 
rj scaringe is literally changing the game with this autonomous driving tech!! 65 megapixels of cameras tho 
. Like, who needs human drivers when you've got fancy sensors and lidar? Rivian's R2 SUV is going to be all about that hands-free driving life, and I'm pretty sure my coffee will still be warm when it gets me from point A to point B... probably 
. On a more serious note though, 65 megapixels of cameras sounds crazy, but I guess that's the difference between playing catch-up with Tesla and actually innovating 
. The $45k base price is pretty sweet, too - not everyone can afford Tesla's overpriced electric cars 
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. And $45,000 is a pretty sweet price point for a top-of-the-line autonomous vehicle 
.
I'm so done with the lack of over-the-air updates for Rivian's software. It's like they're just expecting you to upgrade all those cameras and sensors when you buy a new car... what if your old car is still getting updates? 
it's like something out of a sci-fi movie!