Rivian Develops In-House AI Assistant

Bassyonni

ago 3 hours

Rivian has embarked on a significant project to develop its own in-house AI assistant. This initiative is unrelated to its multibillion-dollar joint venture with Volkswagen. The company has been working on this assistant for nearly two years, although it has not announced a specific launch date for consumers.

Upcoming AI Assistant Launch

In an interview earlier this year, Rivian’s software chief, Wassym Bensaid, indicated that the target for release might be by the end of this year. More details about the AI assistant are expected to emerge during Rivian’s forthcoming AI & Autonomy Day, which will be livestreamed starting at 9 a.m. PT on December 11.

Development Approach

The development of Rivian’s AI assistant reflects the urgency within the tech industry as companies rush to advance their AI capabilities. Rivian is not merely adding a chatbot feature to its infotainment system. They are building a comprehensive system designed to integrate with all vehicle controls.

Bensaid emphasized that the process has been thoughtfully designed. The architecture of the AI assistant is intended to be model and platform agnostic, allowing for versatility in its application. The team, based in Rivian’s Palo Alto office, has focused on creating software layers to manage workflows and resolve conflicts.

Hybrid Software Stack

The Rivian AI assistant employs a hybrid software stack that combines edge AI and cloud AI. This dual approach allows specific tasks to be handled on the device while larger computations are managed remotely. Such a structure enables a flexible and customized AI experience for users.

Investment and Technology Development

Rivian has committed substantial resources to enhance its software stack. This includes managing real-time operating systems (RTOS) essential for vehicle performance and safety. Although details on the AI assistant remain limited, Bensaid noted it incorporates various models tailored to specific tasks.

Future Directions

The in-house AI assistant is currently not part of Rivian’s joint venture with Volkswagen.
The joint venture, announced in 2024, focuses on electrical architecture and zonal compute.
It is anticipated to begin supplying software to Volkswagen Group by 2027.

Bensaid acknowledged that while autonomy and AI are currently separate focuses for Rivian, future integration could be on the horizon. The ultimate goal is to create an AI assistant that fosters customer trust and enhances engagement.