Rivian delays R2 LiDAR autonomy for customers to 2027

Rivian plans to install its LiDAR sensors and in-house RAP1 autonomy computer in employee R2 vehicles by the end of 2026. Deliveries of the technology to retail customers will not begin until 2027, according to an Electrek report.

The company introduced the third-generation RAP1 chip last December, rating it at 1,600 sparse INT8 TOPS to operate alongside LiDAR. Rivian originally indicated that the system would arrive in late 2026, but the R2 launched in June without the updated equipment.

Chip Newcom, vice president of investor relations at Rivian, stated that RAP1 production will initially focus on the R2, with staff testing the third-generation computer and LiDAR before public deliveries. Rivian noted that the LiDAR and dual-RAP1 hardware are now factored into automotive cost of goods and have become relatively inexpensive.

Separately, James Philbin, senior vice president of autonomy and AI at Rivian, said the company plans a software rollout toward year-end for early adopters with R1 Gen 2 vehicles and later hardware revisions, covering Phase II and Phase III fleets. Rivian plans to expand the features across its entire Autonomy+ fleet later next year, though initial versions will exclude certain scenarios such as parking lots.