Rivian announces new AI tech, in-house chip and robotaxi ambitions

Core Insights - Rivian Automotive has introduced new technology aimed at enhancing self-driving capabilities, including a custom chip, car computer, and AI models during its first "Autonomy and AI Day" in Palo Alto, California [1] Group 1: Technology Development - The company has developed a custom chip and car computer to support self-driving features in upcoming vehicles [1] - Rivian plans to implement lidar and radar sensors in its vehicles to achieve "level 4" fully automated driving, differentiating itself from competitors like Tesla [3] Group 2: Subscription Model - Rivian will launch an Autonomy+ subscription service in early 2026, offering continuously expanding capabilities for $2,500 upfront or $49.99 per month [2] - This pricing strategy positions Rivian competitively against Tesla's premium FSD option, which costs $8,000 upfront or $99 per month [2] Group 3: Future Applications - The company aims to enable hands-free driving on over 3.5 million miles of roads in North America, covering most marked roads in the US [3] - Rivian's CEO indicated that the self-driving vehicles will allow the company to explore opportunities in the rideshare and robotaxi markets [4]