Audi is officially joining the Rivian software fold. The German automaker has confirmed that it will begin using the electronic architecture developed through the Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture in its vehicles starting in 2028.
According to a recent report from SmartDroid, the move marks a major turning point for Audi’s electric lineup. While the brand has performed well with the A6 and Q6 e-tron, the switch to "RV Tech" architecture — the name of the joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen — will allow for true "software-defined vehicles." The first model to feature this tech is expected to be the new Audi A4 e-tron.
The $5.8 Billion Joint Venture
This expansion into Audi is the direct result of the massive partnership first announced in June 2024. Volkswagen originally pledged $5 billion to Rivian, a figure that was later upped to $5.8 billion.
The goal was simple: Volkswagen gets access to Rivian’s world-class zonal control technology and software, while Rivian gets a massive cash infusion and the scale of a global automotive giant. The partnership, co-headed by Rivian’s Wassym Bensaid and VW’s Carsten Helbing, focuses on creating a software and electronics backbone that can support everything from subcompact cars like the upcoming VW ID.1 to premium luxury SUVs.
By building software in-house, Rivian has created a platform that allows for "over-the-air" updates to almost every digital component — including the drivetrain, steering, and suspension. It is a level of vertical integration that Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has defended since 2018, even when his own board questioned if it was necessary.
Rivian has already received $3.3 billion of the joint venture’s $5.8 billion value so far. Volkswagen is set to pay out another $2 billion to Rivian this year, with the remaining $500 million expected in 2027.
The R2 Launch and Future Licensing
The R2 platform is the "bootstrap" for this entire operation. Rivian is currently finalizing the rollout of its long-anticipated R2 midsize SUV, which is expected to start reaching customers by the end of spring. The company is banking on the R2 to carry it toward profitability.
Rivian Wave
Rivian plans to roll out the R2 in four distinct phases:
R2 Performance ($57,990): Late Spring 2026
R2 Premium ($53,990): Late 2026
R2 Standard Long Range ($48,490): Early 2027
R2 Standard ($45,000): Late 2027
While some critics have questioned the partnership due to the difficulty of integrating EV-only software into VW's remaining combustion-engine fleet, Scaringe remains confident. During a recent interview at SXSW with Fast Company’s Brendan Vaughan, he dismissed the idea of a Volkswagen takeover, stating, “That’s not the outcome we were looking for.” Instead, he sees the VW deal as the first of many licensing agreements where Rivian provides the "digital backbone" for the entire auto industry.
With Audi now locked in for 2028, it’s clear that Rivian’s tech is no longer just for "adventure" vehicles — it's becoming the standard for the next generation of German luxury. It might not be long before Porsche, another Volkswagen brand, follows suit, or Rivian finds itself in a similar arrangement with an automotive brand outside the VW Group entirely.
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Rivian and Uber have just announced a massive partnership to put driverless robotaxis on the road. In a move that sent shockwaves through the EV and tech sectors, Uber has committed to investing up to $1.25 billion in Rivian to deploy a fleet of up to 50,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis.
The deal, announced on Thursday, marks a major step toward making driverless rides a mainstream reality. The collaboration aims to put thousands of unsupervised R2 vehicles on the road across 25 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe by the end of 2031.
A Billion-Dollar Bet on Autonomy
The scale of this agreement is staggering. Uber and its fleet partners will initially purchase 10,000 autonomous R2 units, with an option to buy 40,000 more starting in 2030. These vehicles will be available exclusively on the Uber platform. Commercial deployments are slated to kick off in San Francisco and Miami in 2028 before expanding globally.
Rivian Wave
RJ Scaringe, Founder and CEO of Rivian, is optimistic about the tech stack powering this fleet. “The scale of Rivian's growing data flywheel coupled with RAP1, our state of the art in-house inference platform, and our multi-modal perception platform make us incredibly excited for the rapid advancement of Rivian autonomy over the next couple of years,” Scaringe said. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi added that Rivian's vertical integration gives Uber "conviction to set these ambitious but achievable targets."
If you're looking to buy one yourself, here is how the full R2 lineup is rolling out:
R2 Performance ($57,990): Arriving late Spring 2026. This dual-motor AWD flagship boasts 656 hp and a 3.6-second 0–60 mph time. It also features a "Drop Glass" rear window and a semi-active suspension.
R2 Premium ($53,990): Expected in late 2026. This trim offers 450 hp and a 4.6-second 0-60 mph time, though it skips the semi-active suspension.
R2 Standard Long Range ($48,490): The range leader with an estimated 345 miles of range, coming in early 2027.
R2 Standard ($45,000): We don’t know much about the most affordable base model other than that it is currently expected in late 2027.
If you’re still trying to decide which Rivian is right for you, check out our R2 vs. R1S buyer’s guide.
The Jump to Level 4 Autonomy
The R2 units meant for Uber will be a bit different from the early consumer models. While initial consumer R2s will use Rivian’s Gen 2 hardware, the company will pivot to Gen 3 hardware in late 2026. This next-gen suite includes LiDAR sensors and dual RAP1 chips capable of 1600 TOPS of AI compute.
This hardware is what Rivian hopes will enable true Level 4 autonomy — meaning the car can handle all driving tasks in specific conditions without any human intervention. By combining real-world data from its consumer fleet with these high-end sensors, Rivian is betting it can catch up to and eventually surpass current leaders in the space.
The partnership with Uber provides Rivian with both the capital and the platform to prove its tech at a massive scale. As we move closer to 2028, seeing an empty R2 pull up for your Uber ride might soon be the new normal.
Rivian is finally in the home stretch for its long-awaited R2 midsize SUV. After years of development and a public unveiling last week, the company is shifting its focus to the assembly line. The launch is a make-or-break moment for the automaker, which is banking on the R2 platform to carry it toward profitability.
During an interview with Out of Spec Reviews during SXSW 2026, Rivian’s Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid provided the most specific details yet regarding when the first units will actually hit the road.
The R2 Delivery Sequence
According to Bensaid, the rollout will follow a strict sequence to ensure the software and hardware are fully validated. The first vehicles off the line will be handed over to Rivian employees over the next few weeks.
“We’re in the final — obviously — stretch of the R2 validation, where we had the manufacturing validation builds, and then we’re getting into serious production really soon,” Bensaid said. He explained that employees “will have the cars for a few months” to help the team “accumulate a ton of miles but then also have that return of experience on the overall software.”
Once internal testing is complete, the first “lucky customers” will receive their vehicles by the end of spring, which likely points to a late May or June delivery window.
R2 Performance ($57,990): Arriving late Spring 2026, with the first deliveries also including an exclusive Launch Package. This dual-motor AWD flagship features 656 hp, a 3.6-second 0–60 mph time with a semi-active suspension, and a "Drop Glass" rear window that rolls down into the liftgate.
R2 Premium ($53,990): Expected in late 2026, this variant will skip the semi-active suspension and top out at 450 hp with a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds.
R2 Standard Long Range ($48,490): The range leader of the family at a Rivian-estimated 345 miles, slated for early 2027.
R2 Standard ($45,000): The most anticipated base model is currently expected in late 2027.
A New Software Experience
Bensaid also spent significant time discussing the R2's overhauled user experience. He described a ground-up redesign of the operating system that focuses on multi-panel layering and haptic feedback. He mentioned being particularly excited about the new "Haptic Halo" scroll wheels on the steering wheel, calling them “one of the things that I’m really, really excited about”.
Rivian Wave
The software chief noted that he gets to drive the R2 every weekend and finds it to be the "perfect size" for his family. “My daughter loves it. She sits in the second row. It’s actually more spacious than the R1. She loves the screen. She’s in love with the screen,” he said. If you are trying to decide between the two, you can check out our R2 vs. R1S buyer’s guide for a deeper look at the differences.
With Rivian offering public rides in pre-production R2 units at SXSW over the past week, the finish line is finally in sight. If the company can navigate the transition from employee testing to public deliveries smoothly, the R2 could very well become the definitive electric SUV for the adventurous mass market.
