Rivian to launch hands-free driver assistance in 2025

January 24, 2024 (MLN): Electric-vehicle maker Rivian plans to launch its advanced hands-free driver assistance systems in 2025 and its "eyes-off" systems in 2026, CEO RJ Scaringe said.

The company also does not see substantial risk to its loan for a Georgia plant from U.S. President Donald Trump's executive orders aimed at the EV industry.

Automakers have been competing in recent years to introduce more autonomous driving features such as lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control into their vehicles, as Reuters reported.

Rivian's Gen 2 vehicles are currently equipped with the "Rivian Autonomy Platform", which assists drivers but still requires their continuous attention and control of the vehicle, like features offered by some other automakers.

Scaringe's announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of advanced driver assistance systems, as leading EV makers such as Tesla pivot toward self-driving technology and robotaxis.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration earlier this month opened a probe into 2.6 million Tesla vehicles following reports of accidents involving a feature that allows users to remotely operate their cars.

Earlier in January, Rivian and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized a loan agreement for up to $6.6 billion to help build the EV maker's production facility in Georgia.

Trump on Monday revoked a 2021 executive order issued by his predecessor Joe Biden, which aimed to ensure that by 2030, half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. would be electric.

In addition, Trump also called for ending a waiver that allows states to adopt zero-emission vehicle rules by 2035 and said his administration would consider ending EV tax credits.

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