Decoder with Nilay Patel

Rivian's software chief thinks you don't need CarPlay or buttons

28 May 2026

Audio

Description

Today, I’m talking with Wassym Bensaid, the chief software officer at Rivian, and the co-ceo of Rivian’s platform joint venture with Volkswagen. That joint venture, called RV Tech, is about a year and a half old, so I wanted to ask Wassym how it all works and Rivian’s ongoing relationship with Volkswagen. Because it’s Rivian, I also had to ask Wassym about CarPlay. But the company also just launched an AI-powered voice assistant, which I got to try early. So I had a lot of fun digging into that with Wassym, too. This is a fun one – really in the weeds of a lot of my favorite things to talk about. Links: Rivian’s AI-powered voice assistant is ready to roll | The Verge The R2 is nearly here — can Rivian stick the landing? | The Verge Rivian’s AI pivot is about more than chasing Tesla | The Verge Rivian / VW will start testing their first EVs next year | The Verge Rivian CEO: ‘We’re really convicted’ about skipping CarPlay | Decoder (2025) Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe says too many carmakers are copying Tesla | Decoder (2024) Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe isn't scared of the Cybertruck | Decoder (2023) Rivian’s chief software officer says in-car buttons are ‘an anomaly’ | TechCrunch Subscribe to The Verge to access the ad-free version of Decoder! Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Decoder is produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt,. This episode was edited by Xander Adams. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane. The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcription

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.

0 upvotes

🗳️ Sign in to Upvote

Popular episodes get transcribed faster

Other episodes from Decoder with Nilay Patel

Transcribed and ready to explore now

The AI industry's existential race for profits

09 Apr 2026

Decoder with Nilay Patel

A jury says Meta and Google hurt a kid. What now?

02 Apr 2026

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Everyone hates Ticketmaster. Why'd Trump go easy on them?

26 Mar 2026

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Confronting the CEO of the AI company that impersonated me

23 Mar 2026

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Paramount's $110 billion Warner Bros. gamble

19 Mar 2026

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Anthropic doesn't trust the Pentagon, and neither should you

12 Mar 2026

Decoder with Nilay Patel

View all episodes from Decoder with Nilay Patel

Comments

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.

Report any issue

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Rivian's software chief thinks you don't need CarPlay or buttons

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from Decoder with Nilay Patel

The AI industry's existential race for profits

A jury says Meta and Google hurt a kid. What now?

Everyone hates Ticketmaster. Why'd Trump go easy on them?

Confronting the CEO of the AI company that impersonated me

Paramount's $110 billion Warner Bros. gamble

Anthropic doesn't trust the Pentagon, and neither should you

Sign in to Audioscrape

Share this moment