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US — The Verge

Rivian’s autonomy gamble faces its first real test

Mobility2 min read

Rivian, the electric car maker, is betting big on self-driving technology. Its next two years will show whether this gamble pays off.

What happened

On an earnings call, Rivian's CEO RJ Scaringe talked more about self-driving features than about making its new R2 SUV. Rivian plans to release a hands-free driving feature that can take a car from one point to another. Its own employees will test it in 2026, and paying customers will get it in 2027. Rivian also plans to launch robotaxis (self-driving taxis) with Uber in 2028.

Key numbers and facts

  • Rivian reported $605 million in software and subscription revenue in Q3 2026, up 45 percent from a year earlier.
  • Rivian's software and services made $256 million in profit, up $102 million from last year. That is a 42 percent profit margin.
  • Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is used in over 1.7 million active customer cars.
  • Over 75 percent of new Tesla buyers in North America chose FSD in Q3 2026.
  • Rivian did not share the exact take rate (the share of buyers who pay for a feature) for its Autonomy Plus package. It said the rate has beaten expectations.

Why this is hard

Self-driving cars need special computer chips, expensive sensors, and large amounts of AI computing power. Rivian is building its own chips and buying these parts while it is still learning to build and sell its mass-market R2 SUV at large scale. The R2 has recently become Rivian's best-selling vehicle by volume.

Why it matters

Rivian wants to become a full-stack autonomy company, meaning it builds both the car and the self-driving software and hardware. If the feature works well and people want it, it could help Rivian win market share. If it fails, the company could spend a lot of money with little return. Rivian will likely spend more than it earns on this work for now.

What to watch

  • Whether Rivian's hands-free point-to-point feature works well during employee testing in 2026.
  • When the feature reaches customers in 2027.
  • Whether Rivian's Uber robotaxi launch in 2028 happens on time.
  • How many buyers pay for Autonomy Plus, and whether Rivian shares that number.

Glossary

Rivian
A company that makes electric cars and trucks, including the R2 SUV.
R2
Rivian's new mass-market electric SUV, meant to sell in large numbers.
Full Self-Driving (Supervised)
Tesla's driver-assist software. The driver must stay alert and in control.
Autonomy Plus
Rivian's optional self-driving software package.

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