Rivian Announces Universal Hands-Free Driving for 2026

Rivian has unveiled a major new self-driving initiative. The electric vehicle maker plans to roll out “Universal Hands-Free” driving across the U.S. and Canada. This will happen in early 2026. The system is powered by a new AI model developed in-house.

The announcement was made during a company event in Palo Alto. CEO RJ Scaringe detailed the ambitious timeline. It marks a significant shift from the company’s older driving assistance technology.

A Ground-Up AI Transformation

Rivian quietly restarted its self-driving project in 2021. The company saw the potential of transformer-based AI. It scrapped its old, rules-based software system entirely.

According to Reuters, the new “Large Driving Model” uses an end-to-end neural network. This is similar to the approach used by Tesla. The system learns from millions of miles of fleet data instead of following pre-programmed rules.

The software is already running on second-generation R1 vehicles. These use powerful Nvidia processors. Scaringe stated that progress accelerated dramatically once real-world data began flowing in.

The Roadmap and the R2 Challenge

The rollout will happen in phases. “Universal Hands-Free” arrives first in 2026. This will work on millions of miles of roads with painted lane lines. A more advanced “point-to-point” feature is slated for later that same year.

This timeline creates a unique challenge for Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV. The more affordable R2 launches in 2026. However, its dedicated new autonomy computer and lidar sensor won’t be ready immediately.

Scaringe addressed this potential conflict directly. Early R2 buyers will get the hands-free software but not the more advanced eyes-off capability. He acknowledged some customers may choose to wait for the fully equipped version.

Rivian’s push into AI-driven autonomy signals a new chapter in the EV race. The success of its Universal Hands-Free system will be critical for consumer trust and competitive positioning.

Dropping this nugget your way-

When will Rivian’s hands-free driving be available?

Rivian plans to release its “Universal Hands-Free” feature in early 2026. It will initially work on approximately 3.5 million miles of roads in the U.S. and Canada where lane lines are visible.

How is Rivian’s new system different?

It uses a new AI “Large Driving Model” trained on fleet data. This end-to-end approach differs from its old, human-coded, rules-based system, allowing for more adaptive and potentially capable driving behavior.

Will the new R2 SUV have self-driving?

Yes, but not immediately with its most advanced hardware. The R2 will launch with the software for hands-free driving. The hardware for eventual “eyes-off” capability will come in a later update after launch.

Is Rivian using lidar for autonomy?

Yes, Rivian confirmed it will use a lidar sensor. This will be part of the new autonomy computer package enabling future “eyes-off” driving capabilities, expected after the initial R2 launch.