Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe believes autonomous driving technology could allow the electric vehicle manufacturer to develop vehicles with substantially different designs from its current SUVs and pickup trucks. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Scaringe said the company is considering new vehicle formats beyond its upcoming R2 and R3 models as it continues developing self-driving software.
Scaringe said greater autonomy could change how vehicles are designed and used, particularly those purchased by individual consumers. However, he did not provide specific details about the company’s future designs or when they might enter production.
Rivian Expands Autonomous Driving Development
Rivian is investing heavily in autonomous driving technology, even as the spending affects its profitability targets. The company previously indicated that its increased investment in self-driving systems would delay its goal of becoming profitable in 2027.
The manufacturer currently offers hands-free driver assistance, which allows drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel while remaining attentive to road conditions. Rivian also plans to introduce point-to-point navigation capabilities by the end of 2026, allowing vehicles to complete journeys with minimal intervention while drivers continue supervising the system.
According to Rivian’s official technology announcement, the company is developing its own AI driving models, computing hardware, and sensor systems to support increasingly automated driving. Its long-term plans include Level 4 autonomy, which allows vehicles to operate without human intervention under specified conditions.
Rivian also plans to deploy fully autonomous versions of its R2 SUV through a partnership with Uber. These vehicles would become available through Uber’s ride-hailing platform once the necessary technology and operating capabilities are ready.
Scaringe Expects Personal Vehicle Ownership to Continue
Despite Rivian’s planned robotaxi operations, Scaringe believes personally owned vehicles will account for most autonomous driving activity. He told TechCrunch that approximately 95% of miles traveled in the United States currently involve vehicles owned by individuals or households.
Scaringe suggested that this proportion could decline to 90% or even 80% as autonomous transportation becomes more widely available. However, he expects personal vehicle ownership to remain the primary arrangement for transportation, citing social and psychological factors.
Automakers have previously proposed alternative vehicle designs built around electric powertrains and autonomous technology. Mercedes-Benz developed futuristic passenger concepts, Toyota proposed mobile rooms, and Hyundai demonstrated a vehicle capable of walking on articulated legs, although these designs did not reach mass production.
Rivian is currently working to increase production of its R2 SUV while continuing to address financial losses from its earlier vehicle programs. Scaringe said the company’s next model after R3 would be called R4, but its design has not been disclosed.
“So we did R1, then we did R2, then we did R3. The thing after R3 is going to be called R4,” Scaringe said. “We just haven’t shown what it looks like.”
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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