Rivian’s founder is betting big on autonomy, suggesting that it could transform vehicle design beyond recognition. Traditional SUVs and trucks might give way to entirely new forms, but the CEO remains pragmatic about the adoption of fully self-driving cars.

While the tech giant anticipates a shift towards autonomous personal vehicles, it’s unlikely to see a complete overhaul of how we own and use cars. The vast majority of driving is still done in privately owned vehicles, and Rivian aims to capitalise on this by exploring novel designs for the future.

The company’s next vehicle, R4, remains a mystery, with only its name revealed. Scaringe hints at exciting possibilities, but the practicalities of widespread adoption are still on the horizon, with much work to be done in both production and autonomous software development.

With real-world autonomous vehicles already on the roads, Rivian is increasingly focused on integrating this technology into its core business. By the end of the year, it promises a point-to-point navigation system, and the ultimate goal is full autonomy, to be deployed in its robotaxis.

Despite the hype, Scaringe is realistic about the pace of change. For now, the R4 is a tantalising glimpse into the future of mobility, but its form and function remain to be seen.