Rivian’s Software Chief Explains Why Apple CarPlay, Android Auto And Even Analogue Buttons Are Destined To Be ‘Completely Obsolete’
Publish Date: 2026-06-04 07:01:00
Source Domain: autos.yahoo.com
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Rivian Automotive Inc. Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid said Apple Inc. CarPlay, Android Auto and physical buttons will become “completely obsolete” as deeply integrated automotive artificial intelligence changes how drivers interact with vehicles.
Rivian Rejects Screen Mirroring Approach
“The challenge with screen mirroring solutions is that they take over every single pixel in the car,” Bensaid said, speaking on The Verge’s latest episode of the ‘Decoder’ podcast. He said Rivian instead wants to build its own interface around “end-to-end integration.”
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Bensaid said “deep AI integration into the car” will eventually make the debate over CarPlay “completely obsolete.” He argued that Rivian owners will eventually access the core functions of many apps through an AI agent rather than switching between CarPlay, Android Auto or native apps.
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“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 said.
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Bensaid acknowledged that an AI agent capable of replacing CarPlay apps will take time to develop.
He said Rivian owners are also less interested in CarPlay than they once were. According to Bensaid, more than 70% of customers wanted CarPlay when Rivian vehicles first launched about five years ago, but a recent survey showed that figure had fallen below 25%.
Rivian is not alone in betting on voice-first systems. Volvo’s all-electric EX60 is set to launch with Alphabet, Inc.’s Google Gemini, enabling drivers to have more natural conversations with the vehicle.
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