Rivian plans to enhance its autonomous driving capabilities by designing its own Lidar sensors and inference chips, aiming to compete with companies like Waymo and Tesla. The company is pursuing vertical integration to reduce costs and has partnered with Uber to supply up to 50,000 R2 robotaxis by 2031, with the first driverless vehicles expected to operate in 2028.
Rivian is strategically positioning itself to compete with major players like Waymo and Tesla by developing its own Lidar sensors and inference chips in-house. This move towards vertical integration aims to create a robust autonomous driving stack, potentially reducing reliance on external suppliers and avoiding market prices. Additionally, Rivian's $1.25 billion partnership with Uber to supply 50,000 R2 robotaxis by 2031 highlights its commitment to scaling its autonomous capabilities and expanding its market presence.