TechCrunch Mobility: Rivian’s next act
Rivian is building a business that could extend well beyond making electric vehicles, as founder and chief executive RJ Scaringe pursues technology that can be used by other companies. Its investments in software, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and robotics point towards Rivian becoming a technology supplier while continuing to make vehicles.
The company has developed its own AI models and is working on a 5 nm processor with Arm and TSMC. A $5.8 billion joint venture with Volkswagen focuses on electric vehicle architecture and software; Rivian also owns 31% of industrial robotics startup Mind Robotics, whose president is former Ford, Apple and Tesla executive Doug Field. Scaringe has discussed licensing Rivian technology to other brands and sees a potential Uber robotaxi partnership as a route to further deals.
- Rivian aims to become a technology supplier as well as an EV maker.
- Its plans include AI, autonomous driving, custom chips and robotics.
- A $5.8 billion Volkswagen venture is central to its expansion.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Expanding into software, chips, autonomy and robotics could give Rivian new revenue beyond vehicle sales and help it spread the cost of developing complex technology. Licensing its systems to other manufacturers and partnering with Volkswagen or Uber could extend their reach, while Rivian’s own vehicles provide a practical foundation for improving them.
The case against
Moving into several capital-intensive fields could stretch Rivian’s resources and distract management from building and selling vehicles profitably. Partnerships and licensing may create opportunities, but they also bring execution and coordination risks, and the reported investments do not yet establish that these technologies can become sustainable businesses.