Rivian announced its home-grown AI assistant at the AI & Autonomy event in Palo Alto, confirming a launch in early 2026 for every existing R1T and R1S vehicle to enable natural conversation for controlling A/C, music, and vehicle stats.
Rivian has developed the AI assistant internally over two years. The company unveiled the technology during the recent event, shifting from traditional keyword-based voice commands to a more intuitive interaction model. Drivers and passengers can adjust settings through everyday speech, eliminating the need for rigid phrasing.
The rollout extends to all current R1T and R1S models already in owners’ driveways, ensuring broad accessibility without limiting features to newly produced vehicles. This approach delivers the update via software, integrating seamlessly into existing hardware configurations.
The assistant operates on an “agentic” framework, allowing it to execute actions by linking with external applications. This design enables proactive handling of requests beyond simple responses, facilitating practical tasks during drives.
Rivian targets year-end release for in-house AI assistant
Upon launch, integration with Google Calendar permits schedule management directly from the vehicle. Users can add appointments, review upcoming events, or modify plans through voice commands, streamlining daily organization while on the road.
The system combines Rivian’s proprietary internal models with Google’s Gemini and Vertex AI to process context and perform reasoning tasks. These components work together to interpret nuanced instructions accurately, enhancing reliability in varied conversational scenarios.
All functions run on Rivian Unified Intelligence (RUI), a central platform that coordinates multiple AI tools. RUI orchestrates external technologies while maintaining Rivian’s oversight, ensuring customized performance tailored to vehicle operations.
Rivian collaborates with Arm and TSMC on a custom 5 nm chip designed to support future self-driving capabilities. This hardware development complements the software ecosystem, providing efficient processing power for advanced features.
The company employs software updates to enhance owned vehicles, countering industry practices of planned obsolescence. Existing cars receive upgrades that extend usability and functionality over time through over-the-air deliveries.
Current owners benefit from a free “brain transplant,” upgrading the system to improve cabin interactions and minimize driver distractions. The enhancement refines control interfaces, making operations more fluid and attentive to user needs.
RUI extends utility to maintenance by enabling mechanics to diagnose issues through intelligent analysis of vehicle maintenance history. It processes historical data to identify patterns in rattles, software glitches, or other anomalies, aiding precise repairs.
The AI assistant represents the initial phase of RUI’s deployment. The platform supports expansion into autonomous driving systems, internal diagnostics, and incorporation of additional third-party agents, progressively increasing hands-free operations.
