GoKawiilRivian CEO Scaringe outlines plans to license its tech stack to other automakers
At TechCrunch Disrupt, Rivian founder RJ Scaringe described how the company has built custom AI models, an in-house automated-driving stack with Uber, a 5nm chip developed with Arm and TSMC, and a $5.8 billion software and electrical-architecture joint venture with Volkswagen Group. He also discussed spinoffs Also (micromobility) and Mind Robotics (industrial robotics, 31% owned by Rivian), the latter now led by newly hired president Doug Field, a former Ford, Apple and Tesla executive.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The breadth of these initiatives suggests Scaringe is positioning Rivian to become more than an EV manufacturer, potentially functioning as a technology supplier that licenses software and hardware to other brands. This could diversify Rivian's revenue beyond vehicle sales, though it remains unclear how quickly such licensing deals might materialize or how they would affect Rivian's core manufacturing business.
- Rivian has developed custom AI, autonomy software, and a 5nm chip with Arm and TSMC.
- Its $5.8B VW joint venture could expand to cover AI and autonomy, per Scaringe.
- Rivian spinoffs Also and Mind Robotics extend Scaringe's ambitions beyond EVs; Doug Field now leads Mind Robotics.
Source: techcrunch.com — Kirsten Korosec, 2026-10-18
Published there as: “TechCrunch Mobility: Rivian’s next act”
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