Rivian’s AI assistant is still rolling out, but VW is already buying it
A joint venture with vague details and a tech rollout that’s still in progress.
The story
Rivian is expanding its joint venture with Volkswagen to include AI assistant technology, though details like licensing fees and specific vehicle applications remain undisclosed.
Source: techcrunch.com
Our reading
Rivian’s AI assistant, which took two years to develop, is now being licensed to Volkswagen as part of a larger joint venture, despite the lack of clear details on implementation or cost. The company claims it’s a ‘proof point for the extensibility of the platform,’ but the only thing that seems extensible is the amount of vague corporate jargon.
The AI assistant, which allows drivers to interact with their vehicles, is set to debut in the VW ID EVERY1, a low-cost EV that’s supposed to be the first to use Rivian’s tech. It’s hard to imagine a car that needs an AI assistant being called ‘low-cost,’ but maybe the assistant is meant to make up for the lack of other features.
Meanwhile, Rivian’s CEO talks about ‘vertical integration’ and ‘seamless unification’ of hardware and software, as if the only thing standing between customers and a perfect car is a few extra ECUs. the AI assistant is still rolling out to Rivian’s own vehicles, and it’s already been two years.
