Future Cars: Robots, AI and the New Factory

The world of cars is changing fast. In Utah’s mountains, a new electric truck called the R2 was shown to the press. Its maker, RJ Scaringe of Rivian, said that we are in “the most exciting time” because machines can now do many tasks that people used to handle alone.

Scaringe’s company, Mind Robotics, is a secretive venture that has raised more than $1 billion. The goal is to build robots that can work in factories with the same skill level as a human worker. He believes that today’s AI models can learn to pick up wires, install carpet and do other detailed tasks that once seemed impossible for machines.

He points out a big problem in car production: most robots can repeat the same action many times, but they struggle with tasks that require a little change each time. For example, welding is geometrically identical and easy for robots, but placing a seat or wiring harness involves small variations that human hands can adapt to. Mind Robotics plans to use “foundation models” – large AI systems that learn from vast amounts of data – to give robots the flexibility they need.

When asked how soon the robots will be on the factory floor, Scaringe said less than a year. Once they arrive, workers will see robots as new teammates.

“I think people will start saying ‘Hey, my coworker is a robot,’” he joked.
He also stresses that the shift to robots will not erase jobs but change how they look, because many workers now lack the training for advanced manufacturing.

Scaringe says education must catch up.

“Our schools and workers need to learn how to work with these powerful tools,” he said.
He believes the same shift will happen across all jobs – from doctors to accountants – because AI can automate many routine tasks.

The company is also racing in self‑driving technology. Scaringe says that moving from rule‑based driving to AI‑based models has accelerated progress dramatically. He expects Level 4 autonomous cars – where the vehicle drives itself without a human in the seat – to become common by 2028. In that future, cars could pick you up from the airport, drop you at school, and even run errands for you.

Scaringe’s message is clear: the automotive industry is on the brink of a new era. Robots and AI will reshape factories, while self‑driving cars will change how we travel. The challenge for society is to adapt our workforce and education systems so that everyone can thrive in this new landscape.