U.S. electric vehicle maker Rivian has expanded the scope of its technology cooperation with Germany's Volkswagen Group to an in-car AI voice assistant. The move goes beyond jointly developing an EV’s electronic and software architecture. It also provides AI functions that connect the driver and the vehicle, widening its technology business.

On Oct. 29 local time, tech outlet TechCrunch reported that Rivian said in its third-quarter investor presentation it would license part of its self-developed AI voice assistant technology to Volkswagen Group. It did not disclose the technology fee, contract terms or the vehicle models involved.

Volkswagen's entry-level electric vehicle ID.EVERY1 is being cited as a leading initial candidate. The vehicle, due to be launched in 2027, is the first Volkswagen model to apply the electric and electronic architecture and software developed by the two companies' joint venture. It is not confirmed whether it will be equipped with the AI assistant.

The two companies set up an independent joint venture, RV Tech, in November 2024. Volkswagen decided to invest up to $5.8 billion, or about 7.76 trillion won, in the joint venture with Rivian. Cooperation initially focused on vehicle electrical architecture and software development, but has now expanded to include AI assistant technology.

Rivian's voice assistant uses its own AI agent system that analyses a driver's speech and links it to the appropriate function in the vehicle's software. It allows some vehicle functions to be controlled by voice. It is also reviewing the possibility of linking with external AI agents in the future.

Rivian introduced the voice assistant to the R1S and R1T in May after about 2 years of development, and expanded it to the midsize SUV R2 in October. It said the move reflected results from a vertically integrated strategy of developing vehicle software directly and combining it with hardware.

As it revamped the R1 vehicles, Rivian reduced the number of electronic control units from 17 to 7. It said it simplified wiring and secured a foundation to deploy software quickly across the vehicle.

The cooperation is expected to serve as an opportunity for Rivian to expand its business beyond making finished vehicles to becoming a supplier of in-vehicle AI and software.