Electric vehicles are increasingly becoming data-centric platforms, and Rivian's integration of advanced digital capabilities with robust physical systems has established their fleet as sophisticated mobile data centers. With automation as a core principle of modern Site Reliability Engineering, cost-cutting is crucial as companies expand their cloud footprint while remaining fiscally responsible.

In this session, led by Rivian SRE Beau Christensen, we’ll explore the unintended outcomes of these proactive automation and cost-cutting strategies within connected vehicle ecosystems, shedding light on how these approaches, while initially attractive, may inadvertently add complexities that challenge system resilience.

We will explore the related scaling challenges in cloud ingestion, the complexities of cloud-to-vehicle connectivity, and the dynamics of managing customer interactions through mobile data access, all within the framework of maintaining cost-efficiency.

Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to balance cost management with the need for robust, long-lasting technology solutions in the automotive industry, gaining strategic approaches to avoid potential pitfalls in the pursuit of innovation and cost reduction.