Every automaker wants to build and sell what are called software-defined vehicles, and Rivian may have done just that, but getting there wasn't easy. Just ask Wassym Bensaid, Rivian's head of software.
Rivian modified 600 parts of its flagship R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck models to lower production costs and improve the EVs' performance. The company left the exterior largely untouched, instead revamping the underside, including the electrical architecture, a redesigned software user interface that offers detailed, illustrated graphics using Unreal Engine, and deeper integration with Apple and Google.
Bensaid, who joined the EV maker in 2019, led the buildout of Rivian's vertically integrated software stack — in other words, he knows a thing or two about building products from the ground up in high-risk environments.
Luckily, Bensaid will be joining us on the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 to discuss what it takes to build a product from the ground up (including overcoming bumps and challenges) and how Rivian aims to delight customers through software, which might give us a glimpse into what's next for the EV maker.
Bensaid, who oversees the design of Rivian's network architecture, security, data and analytics, battery management systems and vehicle controls, has a long career in software and systems engineering. He began his career in wireless at NXP Semiconductors and Motorola and led the execution of research and development programs at Freescale and Intel. Most recently, he held senior engineering leadership roles at Intel and Silver Spring Networks, which was acquired by Itron.
His work at Rivian has been well received and has caught the attention of Volkswagen Group: The German automaker recently agreed to invest $1 billion in Rivian as part of a broader software-development deal that could grow to as much as $5 billion.
Get your tickets and learn from top industry experts
Disrupt 2024, taking place at San Francisco's Moscone Center from October 28 to October 30, is the epicenter of the startup world. Investors, founders, engineers, designers, and anyone else connected to or interested in technology come together at Disrupt to learn, network, share ideas, and maybe even launch the next big thing.
Get your tickets now and don't miss out on seeing Bensaid and other industry heavyweights perform across six stages.