Rivian: LiDAR R2 reaches customers in 2027, employees get it this year

Rivian announced that its first R2 vehicles with LiDAR and its in-house RAP1 autonomy computer will be delivered to employees in late 2026, while customers will receive them in 2027. The company outlined the timeline at an investor conference, emphasizing that the hardware will be available to staff first, not to paying customers. The R2 was launched without LiDAR, but a production-looking version was spotted at Rivian’s Irvine HQ, suggesting customers might get it soon. However, the timeline for full production remains unclear. The LiDAR and RAP1 hardware is expected to be included in the vehicle’s cost, and the company claims it is “a few hundred dollars” in price.

The RAP1 chip, rated at 1,600 sparse INT8 TOPS, is paired with LiDAR on the R2. The hardware is expected to be available to employees in late 2026, and the company plans to roll it out to customers next year. Rivian’s VP of Investor Relations, Chip Newcom, indicated that the hardware will be included in the automotive cost of goods and is currently affordable. The company also mentioned that the in-house LiDAR will help reduce margin costs by avoiding reliance on external suppliers.

The R2 Launch Edition buyers get the hardware included, but Rivian hasn’t yet determined the take rate. The company is also working on its Uber robotaxi partnership, which is expected to reach 10,000 vehicles by late 2028. The partnership is worth up to $1.25 billion through 2031, and Rivian expects to receive the second $250 million tranche in Q4. The robotaxi service is expected to be L4 capable, but the exact timeline is unclear. Rivian is already running expert-driver data fleets in San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami, and plans to launch the robotaxi before personal Level 4, but “relatively close in time.”

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