Rivian’s software executive, Wassym Bensaid, recently unveiled a plethora of upcoming enhancements and features in a Q&A session on Instagram. Undoubtedly, one of the most remarkable advancements that electric vehicles have brought forth is the ability to receive over-the-air (OTA) updates. As eloquently emphasized by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, this innovation enables your car to constantly improve, even while idly parked in your driveway. Rivian has now disclosed a wide array of forthcoming software improvements during a question-and-answer segment held on the automaker’s Instagram page yesterday.
The list of enhancements slated for Rivian vehicles is extensive and highly anticipated by owners, who have long been yearning for these features. Perhaps the most prominent update on the horizon is Rivian’s highly awaited dash cam feature. This addition will empower owners to automatically record accidents, deploy a security camera system, and even capture captivating videos using the vehicle’s cameras.
Another major update revolves around in-car video streaming. Although still in the early stages of development, Rivian seeks to replicate the success achieved by Tesla with services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. This update will be accompanied by audio improvements as part of Rivian’s in-house “Elevation Audio” experience.
While some of the new features may seem iterative or minor individually, their cumulative impact will significantly enhance the overall user experience. Rivian will introduce phone app-based navigation and bug reporting, integration of text messaging within the vehicle, scheduled battery preconditioning, integration with garage doors, and enhanced energy analysis.
Furthermore, Rivian aims to refine its existing features, making them more user-friendly and reliable. One key area of focus is vehicle performance, encompassing enhancements in towing capacity and overall range, achieved through more efficient programming. Additionally, Rivian is diligently addressing the “phantom battery drain” issue, a concern raised by many owners. Resolving this issue will further bolster the vehicle’s battery resilience.
According to Bensaid, Rivian’s software roadmap heavily relies on user feedback, which is often sourced from the company’s active Reddit community, where employees and owners actively engage to address concerns and brainstorm future enhancements. Looking ahead, with Rivian’s unwavering commitment to software improvement, the company is poised to rapidly enhance its product line in the upcoming months and years. Hopefully, Rivian’s progress will inspire traditional automakers to follow suit.
