Rivian unveils its own in-house RAP1 AI chip and ACM3 self-driving platform (www.tomshardware.com)

Rivian has unveiled its in-house RAP1 AI chip and ACM3 self-driving platform, marking a strategic shift for the automaker known primarily for its electric vehicles. The RAP1 chip, built on an Armv9 design using a 5 nm process, boasts 14 Cortex-A720AE cores and offers significant computational power with 1,800 TOPS of INT8 inference capability. This is crucial for processing extensive camera inputs, claiming a throughput of 5 billion pixels per second. Notably, the ACM3 platform will incorporate LiDAR technology—setting it apart from competitors like Tesla, which has eschewed Lidar in favor of vision-based solutions. Rivian plans to deploy this advanced technology in its forthcoming R2 vehicle, expected by late 2026. This announcement highlights Rivian's expanding role in the automotive AI landscape, leveraging its software and electrical architecture prowess. The company is also rolling out the Universal Hands Free (UHF) feature across existing R1 vehicles, with plans for its Autonomy+ service offering enhanced driving capabilities—though it does not promise full self-driving. The move could indicate Rivian's intention to not only enhance its own vehicles but also potentially license this technology to other manufacturers. This shift positions Rivian as a significant player in the self-driving technology space, amidst fierce competition and the growing relevance of AI in shaping the future of transportation.