Rivian’s Next Act: AI, Robotaxis, Chips and Tech Licensing
Rivian is evolving beyond EVs with in-house AI, autonomy, custom chips, VW and Uber partnerships, robotics stakes, and plans to license its technology widely.
Summary
On October 18, 2026, Rivian CEO and founder RJ Scaringe outlined a shift from electric truck and SUV maker toward vertically integrated technology supplier. Rivian has developed in-house AI models for its vehicle assistant, an end-to-end automated driving stack for passenger vehicles and future Uber robotaxis, and a custom 5 nm processor with Arm and TSMC. Its $5.8 billion technology venture with VW Group covers electric architecture and software, with Scaringe seeking expansion into AI and autonomy and licensing to multiple brands.
Scaringe also incubated micromobility startup Also and founded Mind Robotics, which Rivian owns 31% and could use as a customer. Mind hired former Ford, Apple and Tesla executive Doug Field as president and plans robots for Rivian factories and external customers. Successful Uber deployment could unlock more robotaxi deals. Beyond R2 and R3, Scaringe expects personally owned autonomous vehicles to enable new forms and experiences over the next 10 years.
Elsewhere, Bedrock Robotics is reportedly raising $600 million; Dot Ai bought Envoy Technologies for $65 million in stock; Evos raised $9 million from Uncork Capital and Field Ventures; and Mana Battery raised $10.15 million led by Voyager Ventures. PlusAI and Texas Ventures Acquisition III filed Form S-4 for their SPAC merger. Volvo expanded its near-decade Nvidia partnership for hands-free, point-to-point driving using three Nvidia products, with terms undisclosed; Waabi and Warrior Logistics will run autonomous freight between Dallas and Houston. Waymo gained Toronto pilot approval and removed waitlists in San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa. Laplace Intelligence, among 20 Startup Battlefield 200 competitors, is automating robot and self-driving red-teaming; LNK Energies says it can convert heavy trucks from diesel to hydrogen. U.S. EV sales are reviving, Chinese cars led the Paris Auto Show, and Tesla demonstrated a fan-and-thruster SpaceX-powered Roadster kickflip that Elon Musk targets for 2028, though public-road legality is unclear. A 2026 Porsche Macan Turbo EV test highlighted its bulbous roofline and challenged sports-car definitions.
Positives
- Rivian’s $5.8 billion VW Group venture provides a route to sell electric architecture and software beyond its own vehicles.
- Rivian’s 5 nm processor with Arm and TSMC deepens control over the computing behind its vehicles.
- Mind Robotics, 31% owned by Rivian, plans to supply industrial robots to Rivian factories and outside customers.
- Waymo secured Toronto pilot approval and eliminated robotaxi waitlists in San Antonio, San Diego and Tampa.
- Evos raised $9 million, Mana Battery secured $10.15 million, and Dot Ai completed its $65 million Envoy Technologies acquisition.
- Waabi’s Warrior Logistics partnership will put self-driving freight trucks into commercial service between Dallas and Houston.
Risks & concerns
- Rivian’s wider licensing strategy, expanded VW scope and additional robotaxi deals remain ambitions rather than completed agreements.
- Bedrock Robotics’ proposed $600 million financing remains a reported fundraising effort, not a confirmed closing.
- PlusAI’s Form S-4 advances its SPAC merger with Texas Ventures Acquisition III, but the transaction is not yet complete.
- Volvo and Nvidia disclosed no financial terms for their expanded automated-driving partnership.
- Elon Musk targets 2028 for Tesla’s SpaceX-powered Roadster, while the legality of its fan-and-thruster maneuvers on public roads remains unclear.