Rivian’s AI Showcase Sparks Wall Street Optimism Despite Stock Volatility
Rivian Automotive Inc. demonstrated its autonomous driving ambitions at its inaugural Autonomy and AI Day, unveiling custom silicon and upgraded software. The event triggered a 15% Friday stock rebound after a 6.1% Thursday decline, closing at $16.43.
Needham analysts boosted their price target by 64% to $23, citing Rivian's transition from traditional automaker to AI-driven mobility architect. "RIVN signaled a shift from an [automaker] adopting autonomy to one leveraging AI to build end-to-end autonomy," wrote analyst Chris Pierce. Deutsche Bank's Edison Yu noted strategic promise but acknowledged investor disappointment over absent partnership announcements.
The showcase featured RAP1, a proprietary processor for physical AI applications, alongside next-generation driver assistance systems targeting personal L4 autonomy. Market observers anticipate heightened commercial potential when Rivian launches its R2 SUV platform next year.