Rivian R2 Buyers Won't Receive Lidar Until 2027 Despite 2026 Launch Plans
Rivian VP Chip Newcom confirmed that the new RAP1 computer and lidar will initially be deployed in employee vehicles later this year.
Rivian has clarified that while its new autonomy hardware, including lidar and the in-house RAP1 computer, is scheduled for deployment in the R2 by the end of this year, initial units will be reserved for employees rather than public buyers. Consumers will not receive vehicles equipped with this third-generation autonomy platform until 2027.
What Happened
Chip Newcom, Rivian’s VP of Investor Relations, spoke at Evercore’s ADAS, AV, and AI Forum on Tuesday, outlining the company's rollout strategy. He stated that the plan is to start rolling out the RAP1 computer and lidar to employee vehicles later this year, with customer rollout beginning next year. This clarification follows earlier comments from CEO RJ Scaringe, who had indicated the new Gen 3 autonomy platform—comprising the new compute, long-range lidar, five radar sensors, and 11 cameras—would arrive "starting in late 2026." While technically accurate, the 2026 timeline previously lacked the distinction that the initial deployment would be internal. Rivian did not respond to requests to further clarify Newcom's timeline.
Why It Matters
For buyers waiting for the R2 to incorporate lidar and enhanced autonomy capabilities, the wait has extended into 2027. In July, Rivian had already informed InsideEVs that RAP1 and lidar would not be offered with the R2's Launch Package, which is restricted to 2027 vehicles, but had not confirmed when the hardware would reach general consumers. This update confirms that the immediate post-launch period will feature the previous generation of autonomy hardware. The distinction is significant for buyers transitioning from competitors with different sensor suites, as the new hardware is viewed as a substantial upgrade for future autonomy capabilities, even if immediate consumer benefit is delayed.
The Bottom Line
Rivian will begin deploying its new RAP1 computer and lidar in the R2 for employees in late 2026, with customer availability for the hardware starting in 2027.
