Rivian is close to introducing its own AI assistant after nearly two years of development, a project the company has kept separate from its multibillion-dollar technology partnership with Volkswagen. While the automaker has not given a firm release date, its software chief, Wassym Bensaid, earlier indicated that the assistant may be ready by the end of the year. More details are expected during Rivian’s AI & Autonomy Day, scheduled to be livestreamed on December 11.
The company says this AI assistant is not just a simple chatbot added to the vehicle’s display. Instead, Rivian has poured significant time and resources into building a system that connects deeply with vehicle controls and functions. According to Bensaid, the development team focused on creating an architecture that works with different models and platforms. They also built software layers that coordinate tasks and manage how the system makes decisions inside the vehicle.
Rivian’s push to build the AI assistant in-house aligns with its broader move toward vertical integration. In 2024, the company redesigned major parts of its R1T truck and R1S SUV, including their battery systems, sensors, electrical architecture, and user interface. It has also invested heavily in developing its own real-time operating systems and infotainment software. The AI assistant uses a hybrid setup, where some tasks are processed directly in the car while others rely on cloud-based computing.
For now, the AI assistant remains a Rivian-only project and is not part of its joint venture with Volkswagen. That partnership, valued at up to $5.8 billion, focuses on electrical architecture, computing systems, and infotainment, with plans to supply Volkswagen vehicles from 2027. Bensaid noted that autonomy and AI are currently separate efforts, but he left open the possibility that they may eventually come together as the company continues to expand its technology roadmap.