Rivian's AI assistant for EVs will debut next year
What's the story
Rivian, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has announced its plans to launch an in-house artificial intelligence (AI) assistant. The feature is set to be integrated into all existing vehicles of the company, including the R1T truck and R1S SUV by early 2026. The move marks a major step forward in Rivian's efforts to enhance user experience and connectivity within its vehicles.
Functionality
AI assistant to control vehicle systems and 3rd-party apps
The upcoming AI assistant will be able to control climate settings and perform other functions on the vehicle's infotainment system. It will also link vehicle systems with third-party apps using an agentic framework developed by Rivian engineers. Google Calendar will be the first third-party app integrated into this innovative software, which is aimed at changing how applications are integrated into cars in the future.
Technology
AI assistant powered by advanced language models
Rivian's AI assistant will be powered by advanced large language models like Google Vertex AI and Gemini. This will enable it to provide grounded data, natural conversation, and also reasoning capabilities. The company's software development chief Wassym Bensaid emphasized the potential of integrating third-party agents into their vehicles as redefining app integration in cars.
Strategy
A step toward vertical integration
The development of the AI assistant program is part of Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe's strategy to increase vertical integration. At an AI & Autonomy event in Palo Alto, California, the company also unveiled a custom 5nm processor developed with Arm and TSMC. This chip will enhance its hands-free driving assistance system and eventually allow drivers to look away from the road.
Development
A model- and platform-agnostic architecture
To power its AI assistant, Rivian has built a model- and platform-agnostic architecture using custom large language models. This system, called Rivian Unified Intelligence (RUI), includes proprietary models and an "orchestration layer" to ensure smooth operation of different AI models. Bensaid described RUI as the "connective tissue that runs through the very heart of Rivian's digital ecosystem," enabling targeted agent solutions across their entire operation.
Future applications
Rivian's AI assistant to enhance vehicle diagnostics
Beyond providing an AI assistant, RUI will also be used to improve vehicle diagnostics. The company describes this feature as "an expert assistant for technicians, scanning telemetry and history to pinpoint complex issues."