Rivian's Big Move: Custom AI Chips for Self-Driving Cars

Rivian is stepping up its game in the self-driving car race. The company just revealed it's making its own AI chips. This is a big deal because it means Rivian won't have to rely on other companies for this key technology. The new chips are tiny, just 5 nanometers, and super powerful. They can handle a lot of data, which is crucial for self-driving cars. Rivian says these chips will help them offer advanced features like hands-free driving and even eyes-off driving. But Rivian isn't just about the chips. They're also introducing a new AI-powered voice assistant. This assistant will be able to do more than just take commands. It will be deeply integrated into the car's systems and can even work with third-party apps. Rivian is also planning to offer these features as a subscription service. This could be a new way for the company to make money, especially as the EV market slows down. However, Rivian is playing catch-up. Companies like Tesla have been working on self-driving technology for much longer. But Rivian has shown it can compete. With these new announcements, they're proving they're serious about the future of autonomous driving.