Rivian has said that the Rivian Autonomy Processor, an AI chip developed in-house, will replace Nvidia chips in future models. The new chips will power Rivian’s next-generation autonomous-driving platform. The platform will be used for the future R2 SUV. The new lidar camera won’t be in the first models released, but all the technology needed for hands-free, eyes-off driving will be in the R2 models that follow. Rivian is investing heavily in its own technology. The California-based automaker’s next-generation automated driving technology will be in the future Rivian R2. Rivian says future models will use the new lidar sensor, which is needed for SAE Level 4 autonomous driving, but the Launch Edition will not. In the end, over-the-air changes will let R2s with lidar drive without using their hands or looking at the road. Rivian now gets its chips from Nvidia, but to save money, it hopes to use new, home-made silicon chips in future cars like the R2. The brand’s third-generation autonomous computer module, or ACM3, will be run by two of these processors. The first is called the Rivian Autonomy Processor (RAP1). Rivian says the latter can handle image data at 5 billion pixels per second and perform 1,600 trillion operations per second. There is a lot of processing power needed for that much freedom, even if it’s a lot of technical language for this humble writer. At the same time, Rivian’s new AI software is in charge of the RAP1, a 5nm processor that blends memory and processing in a single multi-chip module. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said that the new hardware, along with updated equipment such as 11 cameras, five radar sensors, and the lidar sensor already mentioned, will enable Level 4 autonomous driving. If the conditions are right, the R2 and any future versions will mostly be uncrewed taxis. Rivian also discussed its new Autonomy+ software, which costs $49.99 per month or $2,500 total. People who own this software will be able to get point-to-point navigation and other new self-driving tools through OTA upgrades. On its first AI and Autonomy Day, the car company also talked about its new Rivian Unified Intelligence. All Rivian models will have access to the AI interface starting early next year. It has a voice assistant designed to let you talk to it like a person, along with a ton of other features that let you run the car with your voice and keep an eye on the vehicle. The RUI will soon be added to the Rivian mobile app. It will help technicians figure out what is wrong with the cars. Of course, all of this AI tech will be switched over when the R2 goes into production later this year. Rivian says they will share more info as the date comes.
