Quick Takeaways
- Rivian’s Gen 3 Autonomy Computer uses a custom Arm-based RAP1 chip to enable scalable, safety-focused autonomous driving.
- The Armv9 architecture underpins higher performance, energy efficiency, and functional safety for future software-defined vehicles.
On December 11, Arm confirmed that the Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer is powered by a newly developed custom autonomy chip called the Rivian Autonomy Processor (RAP1). Built on the Arm compute platform, this development marks a significant step in Rivian’s approach to scalable, high-performance autonomous driving systems.
Arm-Based Architecture Strengthens Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer
The Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer represents the company’s third-generation autonomy hardware platform, designed to support increasingly advanced driver assistance and autonomous features. At its core, the RAP1 chip is based on Armv9 architecture, providing a modern and efficient compute foundation tailored for automotive autonomy workloads.
By leveraging the Arm Cortex-A720AE CPU, Rivian benefits from a v9-generation design optimized for automotive applications. This architecture delivers higher performance and improved energy efficiency, both critical for processing complex perception, planning, and control algorithms in real time.
Safety-First Design Embedded Across the Compute Pipeline
A defining element of the Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer is its strong emphasis on functional safety. Safety is integrated throughout the entire compute pipeline, rather than treated as a separate layer. Rivian has incorporated Arm processors specifically dedicated to real-time safety tasks, ensuring that critical autonomous functions remain stable and predictable under all operating conditions.
Key safety-focused design elements include:
This approach helps maintain continuous system availability, which is essential for next-generation autonomous driving systems.
Foundation for Next-Generation Autonomous Capabilities
With the RAP1 chip built on Armv9, the Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer is positioned to support future autonomy enhancements through software updates and expanded workloads. The combination of high-performance CPUs and safety-focused processing enables Rivian to scale autonomy features while maintaining reliability and compliance with automotive safety requirements.
As vehicles increasingly rely on centralized compute platforms, Rivian’s custom Arm-based autonomy solution highlights a broader industry shift toward purpose-built silicon optimized for autonomous and software-defined vehicles.
Arm-Based Architecture Strengthens Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer
The Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer represents the company’s third-generation autonomy hardware platform, designed to support increasingly advanced driver assistance and autonomous features. At its core, the RAP1 chip is based on Armv9 architecture, providing a modern and efficient compute foundation tailored for automotive autonomy workloads.
By leveraging the Arm Cortex-A720AE CPU, Rivian benefits from a v9-generation design optimized for automotive applications. This architecture delivers higher performance and improved energy efficiency, both critical for processing complex perception, planning, and control algorithms in real time.
Safety-First Design Embedded Across the Compute Pipeline
A defining element of the Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer is its strong emphasis on functional safety. Safety is integrated throughout the entire compute pipeline, rather than treated as a separate layer. Rivian has incorporated Arm processors specifically dedicated to real-time safety tasks, ensuring that critical autonomous functions remain stable and predictable under all operating conditions.
Key safety-focused design elements include:
- Dedicated processors for real-time safety monitoring
- Consistent system operation during high compute loads
- Reliable execution of autonomy-critical functions
This approach helps maintain continuous system availability, which is essential for next-generation autonomous driving systems.
Foundation for Next-Generation Autonomous Capabilities
With the RAP1 chip built on Armv9, the Rivian Gen 3 Autonomy Computer is positioned to support future autonomy enhancements through software updates and expanded workloads. The combination of high-performance CPUs and safety-focused processing enables Rivian to scale autonomy features while maintaining reliability and compliance with automotive safety requirements.
As vehicles increasingly rely on centralized compute platforms, Rivian’s custom Arm-based autonomy solution highlights a broader industry shift toward purpose-built silicon optimized for autonomous and software-defined vehicles.
Company Press Release
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