Rivian's software chief thinks you don't need CarPlay or buttons

Wassym Bensaid, Rivian's software chief and co‑CEO of the platform JV with Volkswagen, discusses how the VW‑backed Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies (RV Tech) operates. The venture began about 18 months ago with a nearly $6 billion investment from VW and is responsible for the operating system and electrical architecture of future VW Group EVs, including Audi and Scout. Bensaid emphasizes preserving Rivian's distinctive software culture while sharing core technology across both companies. He notes some components remain exclusive to Rivian, while others are standardized to support scale and cross‑brand compatibility as the portfolio grows, including a future shift to high‑volume production.

The JV aims to roll out Rivian’s sixth‑generation software across VW Group platforms, while Rivian continues delivering the more affordable R2 as the first vehicle built on the new architecture. The Rivian Assistant, now in R1 models, signals a broader move toward an agentic software platform rather than traditional, button‑driven interfaces. The interview also touches tensions around integrations such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with expectations for a more native experience in future VW Group vehicles. Overall, the conversation highlights Rivian's pivotal moment as it expands beyond its own product line to a car‑maker‑wide software backbone.