Core Insights - Rivian is intensifying its focus on autonomous driving, unveiling a roadmap for developing self-driving capabilities for its upcoming R2 vehicle, Rivian's most affordable model to date [1][4] Group 1: Autonomous Driving Development - Rivian plans to introduce a new in-house silicon chip to power its next-generation autonomous driving hardware, expected to ship with the R2 by the end of 2026 [2][5] - The company aims to achieve Level 4 autonomy, similar to Alphabet's Waymo, where driver supervision is not required [8][10] - Rivian's "Gen 3 Autonomy" hardware is currently under validation and is set to be integrated into the R2 vehicle [7] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Rivian's announcement heightens competition with Tesla, as both companies aim for fully autonomous driving and software licensing opportunities [4] - Rivian's partnership with Volkswagen is a strategic move towards its licensing ambitions, contrasting with Tesla's reluctance to license its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology [4] Group 3: Technology and Features - Rivian plans to incorporate lidar technology into the R2 vehicle, which is positioned above the windshield, enhancing safety and redundancy in self-driving capabilities [10] - The company will update its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) to include hands-free assisted driving, operational on over 3.5 million miles of roads in the USA and Canada [11] Group 4: Subscription Model and AI Integration - Rivian is adopting a subscription model for its autonomous driving software, named "Autonomy+," priced at $49.99 per month or $2,500 for a one-time purchase, launching in early 2026 [12][13] - An AI voice assistant, "Rivian Assistant," will be introduced, allowing drivers to control vehicle features through voice commands and integrate with third-party apps like Google Calendar [14][15]