Category: Video

In this video, Rivian founder RJ Scaringe is talking about how important it is for the electric vehicle (EV) industry to create exciting products that motivate customers to switch from traditional gas-powered cars to electric vehicles. He emphasizes that the EV should meet people’s needs in terms of price, space, and performance. He highlights the feeling of acceleration, improved software, and how the vehicle gets better over time.

Vidya Rajagopalan, Senior Vice President, Electrical Hardware, explains how technology, like semiconductors, plays a huge role in making modern cars so different from older ones. Wassym Bensaid, Chief Software Officer, emphasizes how for many customers, a Rivian vehicle might be the most powerful computer they own. Jeff Hammoud, Chief Design Officer, describes how with Rivian’s software-defined vehicles, they can continuously improve and update the software, making the car better and better.

RJ talks about how Rivian can improve the car even after it’s been bought, with new features and updates added over time. He also mentions Rivian’s new Quad Motor, which gives impressive performance. There have been big cost reductions and improvements in how the vehicles are built, with parts being simplified and the process becoming more automated and efficient.

RJ goes on to explain that Rivian is preparing for future growth with new products like R2 and R3, adding robots and improving the plant’s efficiency, which will allow them to produce vehicles faster. The company is focused on making the world a better place, and every decision they make is aligned with that goal. RJ concludes by saying that Rivian is not only creating a vehicle people love but also making it more accessible, feature-rich, and capable. The teams are working together to deliver the best experience for customers, and they’re excited about what comes next as they continue to grow.

In this video, the Rivian founder RJ Scaringe is giving a tour of production facility in Normal, where they make electric vehicles. Thre are two main sections in the plant: one for their R1 products (the R1T truck and R1S SUV) and another for commercial vans (EDV 500 and EDV 700).

He starts by explaining how large metal panels for the vehicles are made using big machines that stamp the panels out of steel and aluminum. Next, he shows two separate body shops: one for the R1 vehicles and another for the commercial vans. They’ve built new parts of the factory to make room for these large vans, with massive robots helping assemble the van bodies.

Then, camera moves to the paint shop, which is new and efficient, where they can paint vehicles and change colors without wasting paint. The painted bodies are then assigned to specific builds based on customer orders.

In the drive unit assembly area, they put together critical parts like the gearbox and motor, which power the vehicles. They also build large battery packs with thousands of cells.

Next, he talks about general assembly, where workers put all the parts together to complete the vehicles. They have two assembly lines, one for R1 vehicles and another for the vans. After assembly, each vehicle goes through tests to ensure everything works correctly, like wheel alignment, headlight adjustments, and sensor calibration. Finally, the vehicles go through a water test and a short drive before they’re inspected for quality.

He ends the tour by emphasizing the importance of the team and their hard work, which is crucial for the success of the factory.