Rivian R2-D2

Rivian Just Quietly Dropped the R2 Self-Driving Roadmap We’ve Been Waiting For

Rivian's autonomy lead James jumped into today's R2 Reddit AMA and laid out the self-driving roadmap, and the big takeaway is that R2 Performance Launch Package buyers get Autonomy+ bundled in for the life of the car. He also broke down the point-to-point timeline, the stoplight and stop-sign updates coming in the next few months, and why Gen 1 owners shouldn't sweat the LiDAR question.

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Rivian R2-D2

Rivian R2 Could Be the First US EV With Domestically Built LiDAR

Rivian is exploring a way to manufacture its own lidar sensors in the United States, possibly through a joint venture using Chinese technology. If the plan lands, the R2 would become the first mass-market American EV fitted with a domestically built lidar unit, and it would mark another step in Rivian's push to bring more of its critical tech stack in-house.

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Universal Hands-Free

Rivian Puts Hands-Free Driving Behind a Paywall, Offers Free Trial Through April

Rivian is officially putting hands-free driving behind a paywall. Universal Hands-Free is now part of the paid Autonomy+ package, with existing owners getting a limited free trial through April before subscriptions kick in. After that, drivers can choose between a $49.99 monthly fee or a $2,500 one-time purchase tied to the vehicle’s VIN, signaling a clear shift toward paid software features.

Read moreRivian Puts Hands-Free Driving Behind a Paywall, Offers Free Trial Through April