Rivian CEO explains separate humanoid robotics strategy

6/14/2026

Rivian robotics venture Mind Robotics will stay independent while targeting factory AI See how RJ Scaringe plans a $1B startup, early products, and Rivian as a customer

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said the company’s new robotics venture, Mind Robotics, will operate independently from the automaker. The startup was founded last year and has raised more than $1 billion, according to Scaringe. Speaking at Rivian’s R2 launch event in Utah on June 13, Scaringe said Mind Robotics aims to unveil its first product within a year. Rivian will be both a minority shareholder and an early customer, and the startup is using Rivian data to help train its AI models. Scaringe contrasted his approach with Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s, saying Rivian’s robotics effort was structured to remain a separate business. He said humanoid robots will likely take on simpler factory tasks first, while people continue handling more complex work. He also described industrial labor as a major longterm market opportunity.