RJ's commitments on Gen 2 R1 Autonomous Driving: L2 this year (2026), L3 next year (2027)

[RayoRiv]

True. Which would mean Rivian is in the same boat with the Gen2s. I don't see how they get regulatory approval for L3 in vehicles w/out Lidar. Maybe Tesla and Rivian know something we don't. Maybe they know when it comes down to it the regulators will bow to the pressure.

Then, of course, you still have insurance issues. Even if Rivian could get L3 approved in vehicles without Lidar I wonder how much more the insurance would be for non-Lidar vehicles vs lidar equipped vehicles.

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[SANZC02]

True. Which would mean Rivian is in the same boat with the Gen2s. I don't see how they get regulatory approval for L3 in vehicles w/out Lidar. Maybe Tesla and Rivian know something we don't. Maybe they know when it comes down to it the regulators will bow to the pressure.

Then, of course, you still have insurance issues. Even if Rivian could get L3 approved in vehicles without Lidar I wonder how much more the insurance would be for non-Lidar vehicles vs lidar equipped vehicles.

I think redundancy as well as liability really starts coming into play a level 4. Level 3 still has the driver requirement to take over.

Level 0: No Automation

• The human driver is in complete control of the vehicle at all times.

Level 1: Driver Assistance

• The vehicle can assist with either steering or acceleration/deceleration, but not both simultaneously. The driver must remain engaged.

Level 2: Partial Automation

• The vehicle can control both steering and acceleration/deceleration under certain conditions, but the driver must monitor the environment and be ready to take control at any time.

Level 3: Conditional Automation

• The vehicle can handle all aspects of driving in specific conditions, but the driver must be available to intervene when requested.

Level 4: High Automation

• The vehicle can operate autonomously in most environments and conditions, but may require human intervention in complex situations.

Level 5: Full Automation

• The vehicle is capable of performing all driving tasks in all conditions without any human intervention

 

[portdirect]

Please read RJ's quote here:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ng-l2-this-year-2026-l3-next-year-2027.58407/

Um... That is literally what he said and the entire point of the thread

"So hands off, eyes off for specific domains. In this case, you know, starting with highways. And that will be true for Gen 2 of R1. It'll be true for the launch edition of R2, and it'll, of course, be true for the variant of the vehicle that has the higher compute stack and more capable perception."

I'm aware: let's see - Rivian were very clear at the autonomy day launch that eyes-off would be tied to gen3. It's only recently that RJ (I don't think any other Rivian employee) has started to indicate otherwise - I'd be very happy to be proven wrong; but I'm not getting my hopes up. RJ has made plenty of optimistic statements in interviews, and a few misleading ones before - so until re-confirmed via another statement, or source I'll remain skeptical.


On another point, note:

RJ says:

“our gen 2 R1 will also do this. Later this year, we'll start to roll out point to point level two.”

He defines that as:

“hands off wheel, eyes on road, but you type the address in and the car completely drives you there.”

He then says the capability will apply to:

“gen 2 of R1,” the R2 launch edition, and the later R2 variant with the higher compute stack.

Whist Rivian are advertising 'on ramp to off ramp' - which is materially different:

 

[s4wrxttcs]

I think RJ needs to clarify what he means with L3. Whether its L3 traffic assist or L3 Highway speed capable.

For example MB does sell an L3 system in Nevada but its highly limited as its intend as a traffic assist system.

Here is a Google AI Answer when I inquired about whether it was still operational. They released it but I've heard recently that sales haven't materialized so they're transitioning away from it.

"Yes, Mercedes-Benz is still selling vehicles equipped with its Level 3 conditionally automated driving system, DRIVE PILOT, in Nevada as of early 2026.

Mercedes-Benz USA +1
Here are the key details regarding the status of Mercedes Level 3 in Nevada:

• Availability: Nevada was the first U.S. state to certify the system, and it remains available on model year 2024 (and newer) S-Class and EQS Sedan models.
• Operating Conditions: The system is approved for use on specific freeways during daylight hours at speeds of up to 40 mph, primarily for high-traffic, stop-and-go situations.
• 2026 Upgrades: Beginning with the 2026 model year, vehicles in Nevada are permitted to be equipped with turquoise-colored marker lights to indicate when the Level 3 system is engaged.
• Future Shift: While still selling the current Drive Pilot, recent reports indicate Mercedes is transitioning towards a new "Level 2++" system (MB.Drive Assist Pro) in 2026, though the L3 DRIVE PILOT has been the flagship offering in NV and CA."

 

[elektrode]

Gen1-er here. I’ve heard “there’s plenty of headroom for the future” before. It just takes a reason to alter the deal (and pray they don’t alter it further). Fool me once…

That said I’ll get the R2 for what it does off the line and not believe anything else until I see it.

 

[TexasBob]

I think RJ needs to clarify what he means with L3. Whether its L3 traffic assist or L3 Highway speed capable.

IMO he was unambiguous - highways. He was also unambiguous Level 3 and confirmed with "eyes off" and specifically "next year." I am skeptical - as I said - but I think the promised capability is clear. It will not be all highways, to be sure, but it is not what SAE calls "traffic jam chauffeur" which is what MB started with.

Before they get to L3, he said they will have point-to-point L2 (which = Tesla FSD) this year. (Holding breath)

 

[Ralph]

I'm aware: let's see - Rivian were very clear at the autonomy day launch that eyes-off would be tied to gen3. It's only recently that RJ (I don't think any other Rivian employee) has started to indicate otherwise - I'd be very happy to be proven wrong; but I'm not getting my hopes up. RJ has made plenty of optimistic statements in interviews, and a few misleading ones before - so until re-confirmed via another statement, or source I'll remain skeptical.


On another point, note:

RJ says:

He defines that as:

He then says the capability will apply to:

Whist Rivian are advertising 'on ramp to off ramp' - which is materially different:

I hear you on many of your points, but your selectively leaving out RJs qualifiers in some cases.

 

[iamnid]

Because Rivian chose redundancy in the form of Lidar they actually stand a chance of catching and surpassing Tesla in regards to legally being L3.

I'd be surprised. They can't even catch or surpass Tesla when it comes to the app working correctly. I don't think having lidar is going to allow them to leapfrog all the years Tesla has invested into autonomous driving.

 

[Riviot]

RJ has made plenty of optimistic statements in interviews, and a few misleading ones before - so until re-confirmed via another statement, or source I'll remain skeptical.

Who's got that ski lift video of RJ talking about Jurassic Park mo-biles, to include self parking, through software with tech backwards compatible to launch edition?

 

[skyguyscott]

…Tesla is in real trouble with their approach. It may work great but that doesn't mean it can be rolled out any time soon, or at all, and that will be catastrophic for them. I would guess they will apply some serious political pressure on the regulatory agencies to change their rule making process and get approval, but who knows….

The way the oligarchy works is that Tesla will apply pressure to elected legislatures who will then pressure the regulatory agencies with funding threats and/or sponsor and pass legislation that would codify the desired rules/and or loopholes Tesla desires. But yes, I agree Tesla is likely to lobby the rules it wants. The only real hope we have is for consumers to reject Tesla’s perception – limited system by refusing to purchase or lease their death traps.

While I long to live in a republic where those elected to represent me have as their Paramount interest the best interest of the public they serve rather than the rich and powerful minority, I recognize this is not the system we actually live in.

 

[Davethadog]

I’m just here to timestamp my prediction that Gen 2 R1 vehicles will never get point to point autonomy and that this is just another disappointment waiting to happen for current owners.

 

[Just Passing By]

Never let it be said cynicism and skepticism aren't alive and well on the Rivian forums Surely the clue to why Level 3 autonomy can be delivered is in what is not said in these statements, i.e. that when the system determines it is unsafe to operate it will either fall back to Level 2 and require supervision, or will require the driver to take full control. However it must do this in a controlled, measured and timely way, well in advance of any risk, not suddenly disengage and/or apply brakes and/or create/require high stress panic responses from the driver.

There isn't a guarantee that L3 will work 100% of the time. Its right there in the SAE graphic posted by TexasBob, "When the feature requests, you must drive". One reason we don't have L3 broadly available yet is that autonomy is not yet good enough to operate at a high enough percentage of the time in a specified domain such as "highway", with the appropriate safeguards. Tesla's FSD is its own worst enemy in this regard because it has historically pushed the limits of its use too far, rather than falling back to human operation earlier and more gracefully. It could be L3 if it operated more cautiously.

To illustrate the point. I was a passenger in a Tesla MY with the driver using FSD (yes I know this is L2) and heading west into a setting/very low sun with otherwise clear skies and perfect driving conditions. The FSD cut out and seemed to apply brakes/regen causing a major lurch and instant deceleration, presumably the cameras were blinded by the sun. The driver very rapidly responded because he was doing what you're supposed to do with L2. However, I would argue that the sudden deceleration, in tightly packed freeway rush hour traffic, wasn't acceptable for L2 and definitely wouldn't be acceptable for L3, it could have caused an accident with a driver that was less attentive. The FSD system should have known the conditions might lead to issues and either issued a specific warning to the driver well in advance or required the driver to take full control long before a potential incident. This is how L3 will need to perform, high availability in a specified/supported domain with graceful degradation.

 

[Zorg]

My gen2 R1S lease has another 2.5 years, so we will see what level of ADAS we get

 

[Rksue1]

Very clear from what he has said in this interview and other recent ones is that the 2026 built R2s will be capable (as is the current R1) of L3 hands free and eyes off the road autonomy. Therefore people don’t need to wait until RAP1 vehicles next year for this.

So the question I have since I have been out of High Tech for 10 years, is this; isn’t LiDar a much more accurate and stable hands free and road travel? Since we can’t physically upgrade the hardware would it make sense to wait? I thought if they went with their highest production suv st the very.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

I think RJ might have misspoken or gotten confused. It’s easy to do given all of this nomenclature, the acronyms, the numbering of everything, and being interviewed over the phone (Gen 2 R1 UHF, Gen 2 R2 P2P L3, etc.)

Here’s how I understand Rivian’s autonomy timeline:

• Currently UHF (hands off) for Gen 2 R1T & R1S

• Later in 2026 Point-to-Point L2 (hands off, eyes off, mapped highways) for Gen 2 R1T, R1S & Gen 1 R2 (w/o LiDar or RAP-1)

• In next year (2027) Point-to-Point L3 (hands off, eyes off, type in address and car drives you there) for Gen 2 R2 (LiDar and RAP-1)

I don’t think the Gen 2 R1T, R1S & Gen 1 R2 will have enough compute power to achieve Point-to-Point L3. They might benefit from the learnings of the Gen 2 R2, like enhancing Point-to-Point L2, but they’re not going to be able to achieve L3 driving on their own.

Tesla ran into this same problem with HW3 and now they say they’re going to retrofit those vehicles with HW4, or AI4 as they now call it.

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