Rivian Debuts AI-Powered Semi-Autonomous R2 SUV With R2D2 Style

Rivian is upgrading its hands-free driving system with an eye on offering eyes-off-the-road driving in the coming years.

The electric automaker is launching a new Autonomy+ feature for its latest models that it says will provide hands-off driving on virtually any road with clearly painted marker lines. It said that covers roughly 3.5 million miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada.

The feature will be available through either a one-time purchase for $2,500 or a $49.99 monthly subscription. It is only a lane-centering cruise control, however, and does not offer a level of autonomy that is capable of reacting to traffic lights, stop signs and following navigation through turns.

That’s the next step it is working toward when it launches a Level 4 autonomous driving system that utilizes more advanced computing and Lidar to enable fully autonomous driving on most roads under most conditions.

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A firm date for that feature’s availability hasn’t been announced, but Rivian is planning to begin integrating Lidar into the R2 compact SUV that is scheduled to enter production in 2026. A prototype of the vehicle was revealed at the automaker’s Autonomy and AI Day event in Palo Alto that had a wrap design inspired by the R2D2 droid from Star Wars. Rivian has developed its own computing systems to train its autonomous driving also enable new features in the vehicles, including natural voice control over productivity apps.

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“I couldn’t be more excited for the work our teams are driving in autonomy and AI. Our updated hardware platform, which includes our in-house 1600 sparse TOPS inference chip, will enable us to achieve dramatic progress in self-driving to ultimately deliver on our goal of delivering L4. This represents an inflection point for the ownership experience – ultimately being able to give customers their time back when in the car,” Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe, said in a news release on the developments.

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