Rivian just opened its Rivian Autonomy early access program, inviting a limited group of Gen 2 R1 and R2 owners to test the new Rivian point-to-point autonomy feature ahead of the December event.
This invitation-only rollout of Rivian Automy Plus early access gives drivers in California and Florida the chance to use the system on real roads while providing weekly feedback, logging issues, and completing monthly surveys. Participants must share location and camera data under NDA and agree to regular eligibility checks, with no compensation offered.
How the Rivian R1 R2 autonomy program works
The Rivian point-to-point autonomy feature starts limited but marks a clear step forward from the brand's current driver assistance tech, which still feels years behind modern systems. Rivian also signed a deal with Uber, hinting at future commercial use cases once the software matures.
What this means for Tesla owners
For Tesla owners watching the space, this is direct competition. Rivian autonomy California Florida testing could accelerate progress and force faster iteration elsewhere. If you're weighing a move to an EV with stronger long-term autonomy potential, the timing lines up with used inventory hitting the market. Check out whether a used Rivian makes sense right now: https://denniscw.com/blog/buy-used-rivian-r1s-45k-worth-the-risk.
The program requirements are strict, and Rivian can remove anyone at any time, so only the most dedicated early testers will stick around. Still, real-world data from these drives should help refine the system quickly.
Bottom line
Rivian Autonomy early access is live for a select few, and the results will tell us how serious the company is about catching up in autonomy. Tesla owners have a front-row seat to see whether this push changes the EV landscape.
