Rivian’s next-generation autonomy hardware is still coming to the R2 before the end of 2026, but customers won’t be the first to get it.
Speaking at Evercore ISI’s ADAS, AV & AI Forum this week, Rivian VP of Investor Relations Chip Newcom clarified the rollout of the company’s third-generation autonomy platform, which combines Rivian’s new in-house RAP1 computer with a front-mounted long-range LiDAR sensor.
“For employees, the plan is to start rolling out [RAP1]—so our third-generation computer plus the LIDAR—to go into the vehicle later this year for employees, and then start rolling that out to customers next year,” Newcom said. (via InsideEVs)
That means the first LiDAR-equipped R2s will arrive with Rivian employees later this year, while regular customers will have to wait until sometime in 2027. Newcom did not provide a more specific date.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe had previously said the Gen 3 platform would begin arriving in late 2026. Technically, that timeline still stands, but the initial rollout will be limited to employees.
Newcom also said LiDAR costs have fallen dramatically, putting Rivian’s cost for the sensor at only “a few hundred dollars” compared with thousands of dollars several years ago. That figure represents Rivian’s hardware cost, however, not what customers might pay.
There are still several unknowns. Rivian has not said whether LiDAR will be standard or optional, how much it could add to the R2’s price, or how many 2027 vehicles will receive the new hardware.
For Canadians, this could be good timing. Rivian has already pushed the R2’s Canadian launch to 2027, with early reservation holders told to expect order invitations during the first half of the year. Canadian pricing remains unannounced, and Rivian has not confirmed whether those vehicles will arrive with the new LiDAR hardware.
The hardware rollout also ties into Rivian’s plans for its next major Autonomy+ upgrade. At the same Evercore forum, Rivian’s head of autonomous driving, James Philbin, said the company remains on track to begin rolling out its point-to-point autonomous driving feature by the end of 2026.
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