Rivian Buys Third Dimension for Self-Driving Sim Tech — SkimNews
Get the Tech newsletter
Daily tech — startups, AI labs, chips, the launches that shape the next decade. Free.
- Rivian acquired Third Dimension, a U.K.-based AI startup, to accelerate development of its advanced driver-assistance and robotaxi self-driving systems.
- Third Dimension developed AI that converts real-world images and videos into lifelike 3D environments, a capability Rivian will use to improve simulation accuracy for autonomous driving.
- James Philbin will lead the integration of Third Dimension’s 15-person team into Rivian’s autonomy and AI division, expanding the company’s AI hub in London.
- Tolga Kart, Third Dimension’s CEO, stated the acquisition allows the team to focus exclusively on a large-scale problem—automated driving—rather than serving multiple industries.
- Rivian collects over 400,000 real-world driving sequences daily from customer vehicles, which combined with Third Dimension’s tech, will create more realistic and controllable simulation scenarios.
- Rivian plans to release an updated hands-free driving system by year-end capable of handling both highways and surface streets, with full autonomy targeted for its Uber robotaxis by 2028.
Why it matters: Rivian gains a proprietary simulation edge by closing the 'sim-to-real' gap, reducing reliance on rare real-world edge cases to validate safety. This accelerates development timelines for its Uber robotaxi launch, a 2028 deadline that now hinges on faster, more trustworthy virtual testing at scale.
Ask SkimNews
