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Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

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571–580 of 670 posts

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#571

Meanwhile, the only thing people really want from Rivian is CarPlay / Android Auto support, lol.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I'll take a car infotainment system that doesn't need CarPlay/AndroidAuto to be usable (and lacks it) over one that requires a phone attached via CarPlay/AndroidAuto to be usable. I use Android Auto on rental cars all the time. My daily driver is a Tesla (Model S /w MCU v2) that doesn't have it. And doesn't need it to provide a usable experience.

If the software has the same library as your phone, then I could why you see it as on par.

Android Automotive has a much smaller library than Android Auto, so the selection for audio apps, such as podcasts and music, are much more limited. The options for map software is smaller too. Also Android Automotive doesn't necessarily use your phone's existing internet connection. Depending on the maker, you have to subscribe to a separate data plan.

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#572

it seems like car-makers themselves feel burdened to make their own self-driving tech, as opposed to outsourcing the software to a third party. Dell and HP don’t make operating systems…it seems like having a handful of companies focused on getting the self-driving part right without the need to also specialize in manufacturing would be beneficial. My first inclination was to be bullish on Rivian, and there’s no quest…

HP did write their own operating system: HP RTE. It wasn't until decades later, after the platform became commodified and they stopped designing their own chips, that they went with someone else's.

And of course, Microsoft made their own cards back in the day, and they still make the XBox as integrated hardware.

This technology is way too early for commodification. Right now, Rivian is a data play.

Their platform means they have consistency other providers don't have. They have data from the existing trucks on the road, and they'll roll out these sensors long before they roll out self-driving. Cleverly they've also pitched these as "adventure" vehicles, which means they'll have some data from rarer situations, not just highways. Off-road performance, for example, will add anomalies that they can use to stress-test self-driving code. If a car could handle areas without roads, it is less likely to kill people if a mudslide happens. Or a shadow falls across the bridge.

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#573

it seems like car-makers themselves feel burdened to make their own self-driving tech, as opposed to outsourcing the software to a third party. Dell and HP don’t make operating systems…it seems like having a handful of companies focused on getting the self-driving part right without the need to also specialize in manufacturing would be beneficial. My first inclination was to be bullish on Rivian, and there’s no quest…

One aspect is that Tesla is all cameras, whereas Rivian sees it as important to have multi-sensor suites (cameras, ultrasonic, radar, and in Gen 3: lidar). TBH as a customer I prefer to know that the latter is protecting me instead of just cameras.

It also suggests to me a more-professionalized R&D culture.

Tesla claiming it planned to implement self-driving with just cameras has always meant I don't trust anything they touch.

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#574

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Could they? I've been told Apple certifies every car before they allow carplay and this costs a lot. I can't verify (the people who tell me this are under NDA and so won't speak on the record)

You ain't covered by the NDA so why not name the manufacturer if you ain't trying to talk shit?

Because they shouldn't have talked to me off the record and it could get back that they did.

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#576
post #513

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Speak for yourself. I love my cars. For a relatively modest expense they allow me to go wherever, whenever I want and bring all my stuff with me. This is a miracle of modern civilization.

as is the consequent traffic, pollution and inefficiency that choices like yours add up to.

Well I guess it beats having horse manure in the streets.

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#577

it seems like car-makers themselves feel burdened to make their own self-driving tech, as opposed to outsourcing the software to a third party. Dell and HP don’t make operating systems…it seems like having a handful of companies focused on getting the self-driving part right without the need to also specialize in manufacturing would be beneficial. My first inclination was to be bullish on Rivian, and there’s no quest…

HP-UX?

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#578
post #326

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Autonomy has diminishing returns here; it doesn't magically prevent the chaos of mixed-use environments. It doesn't prevent chaos, but it does provide ubiquitous cameras. That will be used against people. I'm ambivalent about that and mostly in a negative direction. On the one hand, I'd very much love to see people who cause accidents have their insurance go through the roof. On the other hand, the insurance compan…

> I'd very much love to see people who cause accidents have their insurance go through the roof. Life is hard and people make mistakes. Let the actuaries do their job, but causing an accident is not a moral failure, except in cases like drunk driving, where we have actual criminal liability already. > the insurance companies will force self-driving on everybody through massive insurance rate increases for manual driv…

I hope this forces insurance companies to deal with the lenient driver licensing problem that the government refuses to deal with

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#579

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd love to get in my car and go to sleep for a couple of hours or read a book whilst it drives me somewhere. Imagine if it could even pull over and charge up without any kind of intervention too. You could get in your car, and get a full nights sleep whilst it drive you somewhere 500 miles away. Also, at some point, I'm probably going to be too old to drive safely, which will restrict my travels. Not if self driving…

Too bad the law says you can’t do this

Yeah. The tech isn't there yet. The question I was responding to was "Why do people what self driving cars at all". I responded why I want a self driving car.

Re: Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free

#580
post #503

As opposed to more tech, I'd prefer (significantly) less mass.

You probably don't want a long range EV then?

Less mass will yield longer range. I know you're referring to the battery accounting for a large percentage of the weight, but a smaller vehicle will get the same range with a smaller battery, and the weight savings compound. If the vehicle weighs less, then all the components supporting that weight can weigh less as well. Unsprung mass can be reduced significantly. Acceleration, braking, handling, and top speed all improve as a result. Components will also generally cost less, reducing the price of the vehicle and making it cheaper to maintain.
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