
Fatigued from the constant chatter about Tesla and Elon Musk while having an interest in electric vehicles and self-driving technology? You might want to take a look at Rivian’s “Autonomy and AI Day” happening on December 11 at 12pm ET.
Rivian, the California-based electric car maker headed by CEO RJ Scaringe, has kept specifics under wraps aside from the intriguing title of the event. While “Autonomy and AI” encompasses a wide range of topics, RivianTrackr provides insights into what could be unveiled.
An expected announcement is the Universal Hands Free feature. Last month, Scaringe revealed that he tested a Gen 2 Rivian R1 in Palo Alto, California, where the vehicle handled driving itself. RivianTrackr hints that this feature will concentrate on highway driving instead of functioning as a Tesla-like robotaxi system.
RivianTrackr also foresees conversations regarding sensor technology. Rivian employs a blend of solutions like radar and ultrasonics, beyond just cameras, and may address LiDAR for future models, even if they aren’t prepared to launch one just yet.
The event could present a phased rollout strategy and pricing information. RivianTrackr predicts that the autonomous features will come with a premium cost, possibly as a one-off payment or subscription, without directly rivaling Tesla’s pricing structure.
Engadget points out that Rivian had previously mentioned a “hands-off/eyes-off feature” slated for 2026 with Gen 2 vehicles, suggesting that further information might surface as the new year nears.
RivianTrackr anticipates Rivian will delve into AI related to data gathering, fleet learning, and enhancements via over-the-air updates, emphasizing how their vehicles will progress.
These subjects appear probable for Rivian’s dialogue on Dec. 11, notably the Universal Hands Free feature. Most critically, Rivian must prove its worth in the electric vehicle and autonomous driving arena. We will find out shortly.