Rivian expands joint venture with VW to include AI assistant

The $5.8 billion joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen Group is expanding to include AI assistants.

Rivian is now licensing elements of its AI voice assistant technology to Volkswagen Group as part of the broader joint venture, according to the company’s third-quarter investor presentation released Thursday.

Rivian didn’t disclose the licensing fees, payment terms, or which Volkswagen vehicles will use the technology. However, the AI assistant, which recently rolled out to Rivian vehicles, could make its Volkswagen debut in the automaker’s low-cost EV called the ID EVERY1. The small four-door hatchback is slated to be the first VW vehicle to use Rivian’s software and electrical architecture under the joint venture established in 2024.

The joint venture between Rivian and VW Group has already expanded once before, at least financially. The companies initially announced a joint venture valued up to $5 billion, but within months VW upped its commitment to invest up to $5.8 billion in Rivian by 2027. The initial tie-up, formalized through an independent company that kicked off in November 2024, focused on bringing Rivian’s electrical architecture and software to Volkswagen’s next-generation of vehicles.