Summary
- Rivian introduces Enhanced Highway Assist for hands-off driving on Gen 2 vehicles
- Autonomy program includes 11 cameras, 5 radars, and on-board compute module
- Performance Upgrade offered for Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles with new drive modes
- New features include Rally Mode, wheel type change, Go Chime, side mirror auto-tilt on reverse, and control of chargeport door from mobile app
- Rivian also adds tire puncture detection and partners with Ben & Jerry’s on an electric ice cream truck
Article
Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer, recently announced a new software update that includes hands-off driving assistance known as Enhanced Highway Assist for its Gen 2 R1T and R1S models. This feature allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel for extended periods, similar to Tesla’s Supervised Full Self-Driving system. The company also highlighted its approach to autonomy, stating that the Enhanced Highway Assist can be used on up to 135,000 miles of North American highways. Rivian’s vehicles are equipped with 11 cameras and five radars for sensor redundancy and a 360-degree view.
The Enhanced Highway Assist feature controls steering, acceleration, and braking, while also monitoring driver attention through an infrared cabin camera embedded in the rearview mirror. The company’s vehicles boast high-resolution cameras and radar systems to detect objects over long distances and in low-visibility conditions. Rivian’s vehicles include an on-board compute module capable of over 200 trillion operations per second and machine learning models trained on the latest research and transformer architectures.
In addition to the hands-off driving assistance, Rivian introduced a $5,000 Performance Upgrade for both Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles with Standard+, Large, and Max battery packs. This upgrade unlocks 665 horsepower and 829 lb.-ft. of torque, along with three new drive modes – Sport, Rally, and Soft Sand – in addition to the existing All-Purpose, All-Terrain, and Snow modes. Owners can purchase the upgrade through the Rivian mobile app or account page and download it to their vehicle via an over-the-air software update.
The Performance Dual-Motor vehicles also received Rally Mode, which provides enhanced throttle response and steering on various terrains. Additionally, owners now have the ability to change the vehicle’s wheel type in the settings menu for improved range estimates. Rivian has added an audible chime, called Go Chime, to alert drivers when a stopped vehicle ahead begins moving. The sideview mirrors automatically tilt downward when the vehicle is in reverse, making parallel parking easier. Drivers can now control the charging port door remotely using the mobile app for added convenience.
Furthermore, Rivian implemented proactive tire puncture detection to alert drivers of potential flat tires or slow leaks before they occur. The company has partnered with Ben & Jerry’s on an electric ice cream truck, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and innovative initiatives. Overall, Rivian’s latest software update enhances the driving experience for owners of Gen 2 vehicles, offering new features and improvements to autonomy, performance, and convenience.
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