Rivian Unveils In-House Autonomy Chip, Plans to Replace Nvidia in Future Vehicles
Rivian Automotive Inc. used its first Autonomy & AI Day in Palo Alto, California, to lay out a major change in how it plans to power automated-driving features: the EV maker is moving away from Nvidia processors and toward its own in-house computer chip.
The announcement didn’t lift investor sentiment. Rivian shares fell and closed about 6% lower Thursday following the event, where the company also introduced a new paid driver-assistance package called Autonomy+.
At the center of Rivian’s plan is a custom-designed chip called the Rivian Autonomy Processor (RAP1). Rivian said two RAP1 chips will power its next-generation onboard computer, the Autonomy Compute Module 3. The company said the system will process 5 billion pixels per second and deliver four times the performance of the Nvidia-powered system used in Rivian’s current vehicles.
Rivian executives, including CEO RJ Scaringe, said the new chip, a new vehicle computer, and new AI models are intended to support more advanced automated features in upcoming models.
Rivian’s timeline matters for drivers watching how quickly these technologies reach everyday vehicles. The company said that by the end of 2026—after it begins shipping its smaller, more affordable R2 SUVs—it plans to ditch Nvidia chips and equip those vehicles with the new custom autonomy computer.
For working drivers, the key takeaway is how automakers are trying to lower costs while expanding driver-assistance capabilities. Rivian framed its move as part of a broader effort to build a more vertically integrated “tech stack,” including custom silicon and an AI assistant using its own “Unified Intelligence.” It also introduced Autonomy+, described as a paid driver-assistance package priced far below rival offerings like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package.
- What happened: Rivian unveiled its first in-house AI chip for automated driving and said it will phase out Nvidia processors for future models.
- What’s coming: Two RAP1 chips will power Rivian’s next onboard computer, Autonomy Compute Module 3.
- When it changes over: Rivian said the switch away from Nvidia is planned by the end of 2026, after R2 production ramps up.
- Market reaction: Rivian shares fell and closed about 6% lower after the announcements.
The broader context is that automated-driving systems are becoming a core part of how EV makers compete. Rivian’s approach—building its own chip and software models—puts it in the group of automakers trying to control more of the technology inside the vehicle, rather than relying on outside suppliers for the computing hardware that runs advanced driver-assistance systems.