Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe is set to take the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to share how the company is building across electric vehicles, software, autonomy and robotics at the same time. His session will focus on what it takes to scale physical products while keeping pace with rapid technological change.
A broader vision beyond electric cars
Rivian has started delivering the R2, a more affordable SUV designed to widen the brand's reach beyond its premium lineup. Scaringe has described it as one of the company's most important launches, especially as the EV market becomes more competitive and buyers look for stronger value.
Beyond vehicles, Rivian is pushing deeper into autonomous driving with a plan to reach Level 4 autonomy by 2028. The company is also expanding its charging network, aiming to create a larger and more accessible ecosystem for electric mobility in the United States.
Scaringe's ambitions extend into robotics as well. Through Mind Robotics, a humanoid robotics company he founded, he is exploring how automation can support manufacturing and help shape the future of factory operations. Rivian's plant in Normal, Illinois, is expected to play a key role in testing how people and robots can work side by side more effectively.
At Disrupt 2026, Scaringe will connect these efforts into one larger story: how hardware, AI and industrial design can evolve together. His perspective reflects a growing shift in technology, where mobility, automation and intelligent systems are increasingly converging.
As these fields continue to intersect, Rivian's approach may help define how the next generation of transportation and manufacturing is built.
