Instead, the model learned from observing how human drivers navigate speed bumps and incorporated that knowledge into its decision-making process. This approach allows the system to adapt to new scenarios and challenges that it hasn’t specifically been trained on.
Rivian’s goal with its autonomous driving technology is to provide a seamless and safe driving experience for its customers. While the current system still requires some level of supervision and intervention from the driver, the company is working towards achieving full autonomy in the near future. The advancements made during Rivian’s Autonomy and AI Day showcase the progress that has been made and the potential for a truly autonomous driving experience in the coming years.
As the race for autonomous driving technology heats up, companies like Rivian and Tesla are at the forefront of innovation in this space. While Tesla’s FSD may be the only system of its kind in the U.S. currently, Rivian is quickly catching up with its own advancements. The competition between these companies will ultimately benefit consumers by pushing the boundaries of what is possible with autonomous driving technology.
Overall, the future of autonomous driving looks promising, with companies like Rivian and Tesla leading the way. It’s only a matter of time before fully autonomous vehicles become a reality on the roads, changing the way we think about transportation and revolutionizing the driving experience for millions of people around the world.
The Rivian R1S, an electric SUV, was put through its paces during a recent test drive, showcasing its advanced self-driving capabilities. The vehicle slowed down for obstacles on the road, not because of any explicit programming, but rather based on the data it had been trained on. This includes slowing down for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, as well as stopping for red traffic lights.
According to a Rivian spokesperson, the self-driving system does not have specific rules programmed into it, such as “if the traffic light is red, stop.” Instead, it relies on the model’s decision-making process to determine the appropriate response to various scenarios. This approach presents its own set of challenges, as the raw data used for training may contain imperfect driving behaviors.
During early testing, the Rivian team observed instances where the model would accelerate aggressively on open roads, roll through stop signs, or stop partially in crosswalks. These behaviors had to be corrected through additional training to ensure safe and responsible driving habits.
Despite these challenges, Rivian’s self-driving software performed well during the test drive, garnering positive feedback from participants. While some experienced instances of hard braking or disengagements, overall, the system showed promise for future development. Rivian anticipates that its self-driving capabilities will continue to improve over time, especially with the introduction of lidar-equipped R2 crossovers in late 2026.
The addition of lidar technology will enhance the vehicle’s perception capabilities and enable the collection of higher quality data for the Lidar Data Module (LDM). This will further refine the self-driving system and contribute to its overall performance and reliability on the road.
Looking ahead, Rivian has ambitious plans to expand its self-driving capabilities beyond point-to-point navigation. The company aims to achieve eyes-off driving in certain situations and ultimately achieve Level 4 autonomy in the future. With ongoing advancements in technology and continued development efforts, Rivian is poised to revolutionize the way we experience transportation in the years to come.