Rivian Software Chief Pushes AI Voice Controls Over CarPlay and Android Auto in 12-Year Car Lifespan Debate
Updated
Updated · The Autopian · May 30
Rivian Software Chief Pushes AI Voice Controls Over CarPlay and Android Auto in 12-Year Car Lifespan Debate
7 articles · Updated · The Autopian · May 30
Wassym Bensaid said Rivian wants voice to become the vehicle’s primary interface, using AI agents and foundational models to handle tasks now done through screens, buttons or phone mirroring.
Rivian’s software chief argued CarPlay and Android Auto “take over every single pixel” in the car, underscoring why the EV maker continues to resist Apple and Google’s in-car platforms.
Bensaid described broader ambitions for the system, including natural-language commands to open the frunk, plan charging stops, connect navigation with Google Calendar and send trip details by text.
The strategy would rely on both local in-car computing and cloud resources, raising durability questions because U.S. vehicles average more than 12 years old while software and hardware age far faster.
Is Rivian’s AI assistant a true upgrade or just a costly way to replace CarPlay?
As safety rules demand more buttons, can Rivian’s voice-only vision for cars survive?