Tested: A 2026 (2nd Gen) Rivian R1S On Los Angeles Streets

Tested: What I tested: Rivian’s recent update, Universal Hands-Free / Autonomy+, which is available on gen 2 R1S and R1T and coming to the R2. This update improves AI performance on local roads. Driving down Santa Monica Blvd. in Los Angeles, the system took over steering duties, moving beyond its standard stop-and-go management of braking and acceleration. (See my video of the latest test of Universal Hands-Free / Autonomy+ on Santa Monica Blvd.) Think of it as adaptive cruise control plus steering. With a caveat: The driver still needs to brake for lights and stop signs, and steer through right and left turns at intersections. Also, I did notice an abundance of caution in some situations. For example, when the R1S approached cars or items (like traffic cones) that were only marginally in the way, the Rivian AI would stop the R1S and wait for a few seconds before it moved on. Humans will typically just keep going (see video cited above). That said, all vehicle AI systems typically express the same kind of risk-averse behavior.

But big updates coming: In a future OTA update, the AI will navigate stop signs, traffic signals, and turns, according to Rivian. I look forward to that because it means an R2, for example, could handle most of the driving in Los Angeles. And that could ultimately become point-to-point driving, a step toward closing the gap with Tesla FSD.

And what about the R2’s AI? The AI capability on the Rivian R2 will be slightly more advanced because of its upgraded sensory suite and cameras. But it remains to be seen how this will manifest itself. (We won’t know until the R2 ships.) Also note that Rivian is taking a different tack than Tesla by utilizing a multi-modal sensor suite (cameras and radar) with a roadmap and will integrate LiDAR later this year. As a reminder: the first available R2 – a less-expensive, more compact, midsize SUV compared to the full-size R1S – will be the R2 Performance with Launch Package due in the May-June timeframe. And it would be remiss not to mention that Uber said on March 19 that it would invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian through 2031, with plans to purchase 10,000 of Rivian’s upcoming R2 vehicle and an option to buy an additional 40,000 robotaxis in 2030.

Tested: 2026 Rivian R1S On Los Angeles Freeways

My “hands-free” test on Los Angeles freeways was what I expected and nothing new to report (based on my previous tests of Rivian’s AI): the R1S did most (~90%) of the driving. As in previous tests I’ve done of the R1S, the only consistent action that is required of the driver is to hit the turn signal stalk to do an overtake (then the vehicle executes the overtake). Again, this isn’t new to Rivian’s Autonomy platform. But updates are coming to make getting on and off highways more automated. Overall, the AI’s handling of highway driving is impressive and I always felt confident it would make the right decision.

Personal Note: Vehicle AI Can Be Safer Than Humans

Vehicle AI, also generically called ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance System, can be a boon to drivers. Yes, all ADAS have blind spots and make (rare) mistakes but the upshot is that Rivian’s AI can make driving safer. The bigger problem is distracted human drivers on U.S. highways (see this NHTSA report). A problem that vehicle AI can mitigate.

“Do I worry about people understanding the limits of ADAS technology? Much less than you’d think. Why? There is already strong evidence these systems drive better than most humans,” Jason Corso, chief scientist and cofounder at Voxel51 and Toyota Professor of AI at the University of Michigan, told me in an email in March.

Rivian’s Universal Hands-Free / Autonomy+ is available for $49.99/mo or a $2,500 one-time purchase.