Could LiDAR Be Coming to the Rivian R2?

As Rivian continues preparing the R2 for its 2026 debut, eagle-eyed fans have spotted something intriguing in photos shared by CEO RJ Scaringe, a small, subtle cutout above the windshield, dead center. While this might not mean much at first glance, it closely resembles the placement of roof-mounted LiDAR units found on other vehicles like the new Volvo EX90. And naturally, it’s sparked speculation: could the R2 be Rivian’s first production vehicle to include LiDAR?

Rivian hasn’t officially confirmed or denied anything yet. But the design detail, combined with Rivian’s growing focus on autonomy, has many wondering if the company is finally making the jump.

It’s not the first time LiDAR has entered the conversation. When Rivian first announced the R1 over five years ago, LiDAR was originally part of the vision but it was ultimately dropped before production. Gen 2 R1 vehicles also skipped the tech. That said, a lot has changed. LiDAR costs have dropped significantly, and Rivian has made clear it’s building its own autonomy platform, one that aims to compete with the likes of Tesla’s Full-Self Driving and Ford’s BlueCruise/SuperCruise.

The R2 is also being developed under tighter cost controls. We’ve already reported that some expected features, like dedicated accessory ports, appear to be missing from Rivian’s updated site materials. That might suggest Rivian is shifting budget toward higher-impact technology, possibly making room for LiDAR without pushing the vehicle’s price too far out of reach.

Whether or not the R2 ultimately includes LiDAR, this is yet another signal that Rivian is thinking long-term about autonomous capabilities. And with deliveries expected in 2026, there’s still time for the company to share more or surprise us all together.

What do you think? Is LiDAR finally coming to Rivian’s lineup, or is this just a convenient place for a camera or sensor housing? Let us know your take.