TechCrunch Mobility: Rivian’s survival plan involves more than just cars

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Senior correspondent Sean O’Kane I popped into Palo Alto to check it out Autonomy and AI Day at Rivianwhich some insiders told us would be the company’s most important event. I’m not sure I would classify it as such, but how about letting the journalist on the ground give his or her assessment?

Sean expressed (and some of my thoughts scattered) after the event…

It was easy to get lost in the buzzwords at times during Rivian’s “Autonomy and AI Day” this week. But there was a clear underlying message being shared: Rivian is trying to build a company that’s not just about selling cars.

It won’t go as far as Tesla. For example, there were no humanoid robots roaming the company’s Palo Alto campus.

But it’s clearly developing other revenue-generating products – and advanced driver assistance is just getting started.

Rivian’s hands-free version of its driver assistance software — which can be used today on about 135,000 miles of road — will expand to 3.5 million miles and include surface streets. This expanded capability, which will launch in early 2026 and will eventually include automated, hands-free point-to-point driving (but with focusing), comes at a cost of $2,500, or $49.99 per month.

Then there is the laissez-faire system of the future. Rivian revealed that it has developed its own 5nm custom processor, which it says will be built in collaboration with both Arm and TSMC. This chip will power Rivian’s “self-driving computer” — the backbone of its updated automated driving system — which will debut in the R2 SUV in late 2026.

That will likely be an additional cost, though Rivian didn’t say if it would be more than the $2,500 fee.

But there’s another scenario we should also consider: licensing its technology to others.

After all, Rivian already has a joint venture with the Volkswagen Group to share its electric architecture and core software. Rivian created two startups this year with Alsoo (mobility) and Mind Robotics (industrial AI and robotics).

Barclays’ Dan Levy wrote on Friday that “subsequent discussions reiterated hopes/potential” for Rivian to license the entire AV platform, or just components like the customs processor. And when I asked CEO RJ Scaring If Rivian were to sell the processor to Mind Robotics, he responded sarcastically: “It doesn’t take much imagination.”

At the most abstract level, tying new revenue lines to existing automotive businesses (especially if those new ventures fit well with cars) makes sense. Who doesn’t like more money?

Here is our coverage of the event:

Rivian is building its own AI assistant (Dive deeper into technology). It will reach its electric cars in early 2026.

Rivian is making a big push into autonomy with custom silicon, lidar technology, and hints at robotics

birdie

Nothing this week – or should I say, thanks everyone for the tips, but nothing I can share yet.

In the meantime, here’s a little tip that will help you. As you read above, senior reporter Sean O’Kane was there Rivian‘s Artificial Intelligence and Autonomy Day One of the whispers he heard was about the company’s public demo of its AI assistant and concerns that it might not work. Apparently, testing on the morning of the event was a minor touch.

Unfortunately, the public demo went well after an initially tense moment. The risks are high for public demos, which is why many companies avoid them. Kudos to Rivian for going for it.

Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosek at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com Or my Signal at kkorosec.07, or email Sean O’Kane at sean.okane@techcrunch.com.

Offers!

At the beginning of 2025, I didn’t think TechCrunch would publish a story combining aviation startups with data centers. But here we are.

Aircraft startup Supersonic boom It began 2025 by breaking the sound barrier with its XB-1 civilian demonstration aircraft. It ends the year with a plan to sell a version of its turbocharged engine as Stationary power station. Its first client will be a data center startup Crusoe.

Under the deal, Crusoe will buy 29 of the 42-megawatt Boom turbines for $1.25 billion to generate 1.21 gigawatts for its data centers.

Boom has raised $300 million to help commercialize this new business. The round was led by Darsana Capital Partners, with participation from Altimeter Capital, Ark Invest, Bessemer Venture Partners, Robinhood Ventures, and Y Combinator.

The plan is to use money from Superpower’s fixed turbine business to fund the development of its supersonic aircraft.

Other deals that caught my attention…

Self-driving truck company Aurora Innovation Made a Commercial agreement With Detmar Logistics to independently transport frac sand in the Permian Basin.

Some deals don’t always work out, or change. takes SK ON and FordFor example.

four years ago, Ford and South Korean battery maker SK On have struck a deal to form a joint venture and spend $11.4 billion to build factories in Tennessee and Kentucky that will produce batteries for the next generation of F-Series electric trucks. now The joint project ends The two companies will split the assets: Ford will own and operate the twin battery plants in Kentucky, while SK On will operate the plant at SK’s massive BlueOval campus in Tennessee.

Water systemsa Rhode Island-based startup developing autonomous underwater vehicles, It raised $60 million In a Series A funding round led by BVVC.

Notable Readings and Other Stories

700 creditsa company that operates credit check and identity verification services for car dealerships across the United States Data breach It affected at least 5.6 million people whose names, addresses, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers were stolen.

Former CEO of a bankrupt EV company Kano He pledged his support to NASA and United States Postal Service So you can continue to use the trucks. Apparently, this was not a convincing argument. NASA and USPS have I stopped using it.

Ford and Renault They agreed to work together to bring Two affordable Ford brand cars To the European market in 2028. Ford will lead the design process and Renault will assemble the vehicles at its plant in northern France.

clear He is He is being sued By its former chief engineer Eric Bach, who claims wrongful termination, discrimination and retaliation. Bach, who is of German descent, claims a senior human resources executive at the carmaker referred to him as a “German Nazi.”

Subaru Uncharted EV revealed The specifications may attract buyers. The Uncharted Premium Trim EV will have a 300-mile range and will be priced at just over $36,000. Potential deal killer among religious Subie? The Premium version is front-wheel drive only.

A pregnant woman in San Francisco gave birth inside Waymo A robo-taxi on its way to UCSF Medical Center. And no, this isn’t the first baby born at Waymo. Read on to learn more.

Meanwhile, on the Waymo news front, a leaked message from Global tiger management revealed to its investors that Waymo is now delivering 450,000 robotaxi trips per week — nearly double the amount disclosed this spring. Waymo declined to comment.

Zifu It wants to add robotaxis to its ride-sharing fleet, starting with newcomer Tensor. Chief Reporter Sean O’Kane digs in.

Another thing…

You asked and I answered. Thank you to all readers who participated in the latest survey. As a reminder, I asked: The pace of development of autonomous vehicles has accelerated, leading to greater scrutiny and questions about safety and accountability. Should companies stay the course, expand faster, or hit the brakes?

About 48% of you chose to “stay on track.” Nearly 23% chose to expand faster, while 29.4% of readers want companies to hit the brakes.