Rivian Automotive Inc. (RIVN) has been playing it close to the vest. CEO RJ Scaringe just revealed in a Fast Company interview that the electric automaker hasn't closed the door on robotaxis, and apparently they've been working on autonomous driving tech so quietly that even Scaringe seems impressed with their operational security. "Somehow, it didn't leak," he said.

The Robotaxi Question Nobody Saw Coming

Here's the thing about Rivian: everyone assumed they were all about selling trucks and SUVs to people who actually want to own them. And they are. But that doesn't mean they're ignoring the autonomous vehicle future that may or may not be arriving soon, depending on which CEO you ask.

Scaringe explained that focusing on "personally owned" vehicles doesn't prevent the company from pursuing "robotaxis or rideshare" down the line. It's a hedge, essentially. The CEO admitted his own thinking has evolved on this front. He used to believe rideshare would balloon to represent 50% of total miles driven. Reality check: rideshare today accounts for a tiny fraction of miles traveled.

"Maybe that happens, but I think it's probably more likely to go from 99% to 90%," Scaringe said, referring to personal ownership rates. His read on consumer behavior: most Americans still prefer owning their cars. But if the market shifts toward rideshare in a meaningful way, Rivian wants to be "equally ready for that."

The CEO even floated a shared ownership model that sounds familiar if you've been following Tesla Inc. (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk's vision for Tesla owners adding their vehicles to an autonomous fleet. "Maybe the vehicle's mine during the week and another family's during the weekend," Scaringe suggested.

Level 4 or Bust

Scaringe was clear about the technical requirements for making robotaxis work: "You need level four. So that's what we're focused on." Level 3 autonomy, which still requires driver intervention in certain situations, won't cut it for a true robotaxi service. "Robotaxis don't work with level 3," he emphasized.

Rivian recently unveiled its autonomous driving technology, taking a different approach than Tesla's vision-only system. The company is using a combination of cameras and LiDAR sensors, which Rivian's Autonomy chief called a "no-brainer" for self-driving cars.

The company's Autonomy+ subscription package will offer customers two payment options: a one-time fee of $2,500 or a monthly subscription at $49.99. Rivian is targeting a 2026 launch for the service.

Filling the Affordable EV Gap

Scaringe has also been vocal about what he sees as a glaring problem in the U.S. electric vehicle market: there aren't many "highly compelling" EV options under $50,000 that aren't made by Tesla.

That's where Rivian's R2 Crossover SUV comes in. The vehicle is designed to hit that sub-$50,000 price point, with deliveries expected to begin next year. During the company's recent "AI and Autonomy Day" event, Rivian confirmed the R2 will come equipped with LiDAR sensors, positioning it for autonomous capabilities from day one.

The bet Rivian is making is essentially this: build great vehicles people want to own, but make sure the technology is ready if the world decides it would rather share. It's a pragmatic strategy in a market where the future of transportation remains genuinely uncertain.

Price Action: RIVN shares declined 1.02% to $18.51 in after-hours trading on Monday.