Rivian: AI Will Make Apple CarPlay and Android Auto “Obsolete”

Rivian has doubled down on its refusal to integrate Apple CarPlay or Android Auto into its vehicles, instead betting big on an AI-powered in-car assistant to render smartphone mirroring obsolete. Speaking on The Verge’s *Decoder* podcast, Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid confirmed the company has no plans to support either platform, arguing that upcoming AI features will eventually make the CarPlay debate “completely obsolete.” Rivian’s stance aligns with Tesla and General Motors’ EV lineup, which also skip Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of proprietary infotainment systems.

Bensaid emphasized that Rivian’s AI-driven approach—designed to replace functions drivers currently rely on through smartphone mirroring—will deliver a more seamless, integrated user experience. ‘I really believe that the way you interact with apps which are mono-threaded, single buttons, single icons, a lot of that will be now completely reshaped into a world where it will become an agentic integration that presents itself into a wholesome user experience to the user,’ he explained. Rivian’s software chief also dismissed Apple’s system as overly invasive within the vehicle experience, positioning the company’s AI-first strategy as the future of in-car tech.

Despite customer pushback favoring traditional mirroring features, Rivian remains steadfast in its approach, focusing on end-to-end integration and convenience to justify its decision. The automaker has repeatedly stated its opposition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bensaid’s comments suggest this stance won’t change anytime soon.