Eric Wood

Eric Wood is a pioneering force in automotive experience design, currently serving as Vice President of Product Experience at Cariad, a Volkswagen Group company. In this role, Eric leads a global team with studios in Germany and Silicon Valley focused on creating Volkswagen Group's next generation Software Defined Vehicle platform.

Prior to joining Cariad, Eric served as Vice President of User Experience at Rivian, where he was responsible for the holistic vehicle experience design of the R1T, the world's first electric pickup truck, the electric delivery van for Amazon, and the best-selling R1S SUV. He also significantly contributed to the user experience design for Rivian’s forthcoming R2 and R3 vehicles.

With over 25 years of leadership in UX design across emerging technologies, Eric’s career spans the entertainment, enterprise software, navigation software, and startup sectors, including co-founding three venture-backed companies in travel, e-commerce, and music streaming. His innovative work has earned him 17 patents.

A native of the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Eric holds a BSc in Physics and studied Architecture in graduate school at the University of British Columbia. He is an avid traveler and cultural enthusiast, a passion he shares with his wife. Together, they have two children and reside in Silicon Valley.