Rivian acquires UK startup Third Dimension to speed up autonomous driving development

Electric vehicle maker Rivian has acquired Third Dimension, a UK-based AI startup that uses AI to transform images and videos into lifelike 3D worlds. Founded in 2024 by veterans of the gaming and autonomous vehicle industries, Third Dimension raised $7 million in seed funding and had focused its technology on accelerating video game development.

Rivian said it will apply Third Dimension's technology to convert real-world data into 3D environments, accelerating work on its advanced driver-assistance features and the self-driving system for the robotaxis it plans to supply to Uber.

Third Dimension's team of about 15 people, most based in the UK, will join Rivian's autonomy and AI team led by James Philbin. Philbin said the acquisition also gives Rivian an opportunity to expand its AI hub in London.

Tolga Kart, co-founder and CEO of Third Dimension, said the team is excited to focus on a single problem, adding that the technology can make a real difference in large-scale applications like autonomous driving.

Rivian currently collects more than 400,000 driving data sequences per day from its customer fleet. According to Philbin, Third Dimension's technology will help Rivian simulate complex driving conditions without waiting for rare real-world edge cases. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.