Rivian CEO on hardware, AI, and robots

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe will share insights into the challenging process of building a hardware company at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, running October 13-15 in San Francisco. His discussion will encompass the intricate stages of design, manufacturing, and scaled delivery of hardware products.

Scaringe's participation highlights Rivian's position at the convergence of AI, software, robotics, manufacturing, and transportation. He believes this intersection is poised for significant growth and increased competition in the coming years.

A key focus will be Rivian's R2 SUV, an approximately $58,000 vehicle designed to broaden the company's market appeal. This launch is critical amid a slowdown in demand for more expensive electric vehicles and rising competition, particularly from Chinese manufacturers.

Beyond vehicles, Scaringe is advancing towards Level 4 autonomy by 2028 and expanding Rivian's charging infrastructure, aiming for one of the largest networks in the U.S. He also chairs Mind Robotics, a humanoid robotics firm that has secured substantial funding this year, positioning Rivian's Illinois factory as a testbed for human-robot collaboration on assembly lines.