Rivian’s autonomous driving plans face key tests through 2028
Rivian is making autonomous driving a major part of its strategy, with a hands-free point-to-point feature due to reach employees for testing in 2026 and customers in 2027. The company plans to launch robotaxis with Uber in 2028, making the next two years a key test of whether it can become a major player in autonomous vehicles.
Rivian’s chief executive RJ Scaringe says the feature could boost demand, but he did not disclose how many customers buy its Autonomy Plus package. In the third quarter of 2026, software and subscriptions brought in $605 million in revenue, up 45 per cent year on year, and $256 million in profit. Rivian faces high costs for chips, computing and lidar, while also trying to scale production of its R2 SUV; Tesla, by comparison, reported that more than 75 per cent of new North American buyers chose its FSD package.
In short
- Rivian will test hands-free point-to-point driving with employees in 2026.
- Customer access is planned for 2027, with Uber robotaxis in 2028.
- Autonomy investment adds costs as Rivian works to scale the R2.
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The case for
Rivian’s autonomy push could create a valuable new source of recurring revenue and make its vehicles more appealing, as its software and subscriptions business is already growing. Testing the feature with employees before customers and partnering with Uber for robotaxis could help the company build capability and demand over time.
The case against
The strategy carries substantial execution and financial risks: Rivian must fund costly chips, computing and lidar while scaling R2 production, and the reported figures do not show how many customers buy its autonomy package. With customer testing and robotaxis still years away, the plans may not translate into broad adoption or returns soon enough to justify the investment.
Explained simply
Rivian is an American electric vehicle maker, best known for its R1T pick-up and R1S SUV. It is developing driver-assistance software that could let a car travel between destinations without the driver holding the wheel, though such systems still require human oversight.
The plans involve Rivian chief executive RJ Scaringe, the company’s employees and customers, and Uber, which is expected to work with Rivian on robotaxis. Rivian also sells an Autonomy Plus subscription, while Tesla offers its own Full Self-Driving package, giving investors a point of comparison.
Building autonomous vehicles requires costly equipment and computing, and Rivian is also working to increase production of its R2 SUV. The plans matter because paid software and transport services could become an additional source of income, but their commercial appeal and costs remain to be demonstrated.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Rivian’s autonomy gamble faces its first real test”.