Rivian’s autonomy gamble faces its first real test

<figure> <img alt="Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe watches Rivian R2s on the assembly line." data-caption="Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe (left) watches Rivian R2s being built after an event at the Rivian assembly plant on May 19th, 2026, in Normal, Illinois. | Photo: Scott Olson / Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Photo: Scott Olson / Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/gettyimages-2277183149.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe (left) watches Rivian R2s being built after an event at the Rivian assembly plant on May 19th, 2026, in Normal, Illinois. | Photo: Scott Olson / Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://www.theverge.com/transportation/1022420/rivian-q3-earnings-r2-sales-volkswagen-software">During an hourlong earnings call last night</a>, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe spent less time talking about the production ramp of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/transportation/946398/rivian-r2-review-price-specs-ai-ev">the all-important R2 SUV</a> than he did hyping the company's still-unproven <a href="https://www.theverge.com/transportation/846783/rivian-ai-autonomy-day-self-driving-lidar-chip-tesla">autonomous vehicle ambitions</a>. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">But the company faces a crucial test later this year, when it rolls out its point-to-point hands-free driving feature - first to its own employees for testing and validation in 2026, and later to customers in 2027. Following that, Rivian says it will launch its first robotaxi vehicles in <a href="https://www.theverge.com/transportation/897105/uber-rivian-robotaxi-investment-deal">partnership with Uber in 2028</a>. In short, the next two years will determine whether Rivian will succeed or fail in its high-stakes ques …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/transportation/1023143/rivian-autonomy-point-to-point-robotaxi-q3-2026">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>