Rivian founder and chief executive RJ Scaringe has reiterated that the electric vehicle maker will not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, maintaining its strategy of relying on a proprietary operating system to deliver what it describes as a more integrated digital experience.
In an interview with technology publication Stratechery, Scaringe said allowing Apple CarPlay would result in “two different UIs playing out,” which he said leads to a poor user experience. He argued that demand for CarPlay largely stems from dissatisfaction with the native software offered by many automakers.
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Scaringe said complaints about the absence of CarPlay among Rivian and Tesla drivers are limited, adding that feedback from users of the two brands suggests most are comfortable with fully integrated systems.
Rivian has instead focused on expanding features within its own ecosystem. The company added Google Maps in a software update in July and supports a range of native music services, including Apple Music. Rivian also plans to introduce digital car key functionality for both Apple and Android devices before the end of the year.
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Looking ahead, Scaringe said advances in artificial intelligence could further reduce the relevance of third-party interface systems, as automakers move toward a single software layer that can integrate multiple AI tools behind the scenes.
Apple CarPlay is currently available in more than 800 vehicle models from over 20 brands, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and BYD. Tesla has historically declined to support CarPlay, though Bloomberg reported last month that the company is testing potential integration, a report Tesla has not confirmed.
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General Motors has also moved away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favour of Google-based software, though it recently announced that a native Apple Music app and Apple Wallet digital key support will be added for customers in North America.