SXSW 2026

R2, Rivian’s Roadhouse, Robots, and more!

By Rivian

March 18^th, 2026

Headlining SXSW for the second year in a row was the perfect way to celebrate R2, our mid-size SUV designed to bring Rivian’s signature design, performance, and technology to more people.

We took the wraps off of R2, debuting the full trim lineup and pricing for the newest member of our family. Festival-goers also got to attend inspiring sessions and enjoy live music at our Electric Roadhouse and other local venues. Take a look back with us on our exciting week in Austin.

Two men stand on a stage at SXSW 2026, with

Rivian Founder & CEO RJ Scaringe and engineer & YouTube creator Mark Rober hosted the ultimate autonomous robot challenge at the Electric Roadhouse in front of a packed crowd. The presentation pitted audience participants against a robot (lovingly nicknamed Kevin by an audience member!), testing human reactions vs. machine learning to help demonstrate Rivian’s approach to autonomy. Spoiler alert: Kevin won!

Rivian vehicles on a dirt track at SXSW 2026. The front vehicle is green and white, with yellow Rivian flags and Austin buildings in the background.

Rivian truck climbs a dirt hill at SXSW 2026. Yellow Rivian flags line the course. City buildings are in the background on a sunny day.

We transformed 800 N Congress Ave into the Electric Joyride, a rugged off-road proving ground for R2. Thousands of people and counting hopped in the passenger seat while one of our expert drivers navigated steep hills, sharp turns, and uneven ground on our custom 245-foot off-road course built right in the middle of downtown Austin.

Rivian hosted panels covering wide-ranging topics at the Electric Roadhouse. Our Chief Design Officer Jeff Hammoud and Lake Flato’s Tenna Florian explored how to design environments that serve as seamless bridges to nature, moderated by Rich Roll. The stage also featured Rivian’s Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid and Fast Company’s Max Ufberg, who chatted about how Rivian is building vehicles that don't just react to the world, but actively anticipate the needs of the adventurer. Rivian CFO Claire McDonough, Madison Reed CEO Amy Errett, and Spotify’s Chief Public Affairs Officer Dustee Jenkins engaged an audience of future leaders in a powerful conversation centered on purpose-driven leadership and consumer-focused solutions.

Rivian’s Electric Roadhouse was buzzing all week with festival-goers eager to check out the all-new R2 in-person. The Roadhouse became a storytelling backdrop for R2, with interactive moments that brought the vehicle to life. Guests explored the full color and trim lineup, dug into Rivian’s approach to autonomy, and saw an artistic take on storage through oversized inflatable interpretations of everyday gear; ski bags, carry-ons, and the kinds of things you’re always hauling on an adventure.

We also served up scoops from our custom Ben & Jerry’s ice cream truck and powered mornings with Proud Mary coffee poured off the R1T tailgate. KUTX’s lineup of local bands brought electric vibes to the Roadhouse, celebrating Austin’s vibrant music scene all weekend long.

Two musicians perform on an outdoor stage for a large crowd at SXSW 2026. The Texas State Capitol building is visible in the background.

Band performs on stage for a large crowd, bright blue lights illuminate the stage and backdrop.

Orville Peck took to the stage at the Rivian Electric Joyride against a backdrop featuring R2 and the Austin sunset. Throughout the evening, Orville pulled from across his catalog for a crowd that showed up big to take it all in. The Lumineers took us home on March 16 for our first-ever Electric Session to celebrate SXSW and the debut of R2 with a show at Moody Amphitheater filled with non-stop energy.