Attempting to leapfrog competitors ahead of a crucial vehicle launch and a race to integrate AI and advanced driver assistance systems, Rivian revealed its latest hands-free driving system with better highway mapping, a custom processor, lidar, and a voice assistant as it prepares for the launch of its more mainstream R2 midsize electric SUV with an estimated $45,000 starting price.

At a Palo Alto event on Thursday, Rivian detailed the advances its in-house system has made over the second-generation system, released a year ago, on its large R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck. And in introducing new features and software, it’s also keeping existing customers in the fold by making updates available to its older models.

Rivian has been working on its own AI technology for a few years now, i

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