Buy Hold Rant
Tesla vs Rivian autonomy: high res cameras, LiDAR and radar
11/6/2025, 5:59:35 AM
Economic Summary
- Tesla (TSLA) has a clear data-collection advantage from its much larger fleet of vehicles, which could accelerate autonomous-driving model training, though the exact amount of data needed for superiority is unknown and could limit the benefit.
- Rivian (RIVN) has technological sensor advantages — higher-resolution cameras and built-in LiDAR and radar — but its smaller installed base (~50,000 vehicles) may limit data-driven learning unless fewer vehicles are needed to achieve parity.
Bullish
- Tesla's large installed base supplies extensive camera data for autonomy improvements.
- Rivian's higher-resolution cameras plus built-in LiDAR and radar provide sensor edge.
Bearish
- Rivian's ~50,000 vehicle fleet may be insufficient if millions of vehicles' data are required.
- Unknown required data volume could erode Tesla's fleet advantage.
Bullish tickers
TSLARIVN
Bearish tickers
RIVNTSLA
TSLA
Bullish
Significant fleet size yields extensive camera data, creating a potential lead in training autonomous driving systems.
Bearish
Unknown data-volume requirements could reduce Tesla's fleet-data advantage; too much data or needing millions may limit benefits.
RIVN
Bullish
Higher-resolution cameras and inclusion of LiDAR and radar give Rivian a sensor-technology advantage for autonomy.
Bearish
Fleet size (~50,000) is small relative to Tesla and may be insufficient if very large datasets are required.