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Rivian Reaffirms No-CarPlay Strategy, Promises Digital Key This Year

CEO RJ Scaringe says a single vehicle-native interface preserves control over car functions to enable future AI integration.

Overview

  • In a Stratechery interview published December 16, RJ Scaringe reiterated that Rivian will not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
  • Scaringe called most rival in-car systems a "disaster" and said he welcomes CarPlay when driving non-Rivian, non-Tesla vehicles.
  • Rivian plans to launch a digital car key for both iOS and Android users before the end of the year.
  • The company is adding native capabilities, including Google Maps introduced in a July update and support for Apple Music, with more mapping platforms planned.
  • He argued future AI could provide a single integration layer over Rivian’s OS and noted Bloomberg’s unconfirmed report that Tesla is testing CarPlay.