Automotive
Rivian is about to make the R1S and R1T feel lots more future-proof, and it’s doing it the best way modern EV owners love: with over-the-air updates. During its first AI and Autonomy Day, Rivian outlined a pair of software upgrades aimed squarely at on a regular basis convenience. The headline feature is an expanded hands-free driving mode for second-generation R1 models, meaning the refreshed vehicles introduced mid-2024 and later. If you could have one in all those, your truck or SUV is about to realize access to a dramatically larger set of compatible roads, which should make longer trips and commute duty feel far less tiring.
The update arriving this month expands Rivian’s hands-free coverage from about 150,000 miles to roughly 3.5 million miles of roadway. Rivian calls it Universal Hands Free, and the thought is easy: if the road has clearly painted lane lines, the system can handle the steering without being limited to freeway-only use. That said, this remains to be an SAE Level 2 setup, so the motive force is liable for being attentive and being able to take over at any time. Rivian can also be treating this as a try-before-you-buy moment, with the expanded hands-free capability offered free through the top of March before it moves under a paid software umbrella.
After the introductory window ends, Rivian plans to charge for what it is asking Autonomy+, priced at $49.99 per 30 days or a $2500 one-time purchase. That pricing goes to be the actual conversation starter, since it positions Rivian to hitch the growing list of automakers asking customers to pay for capability that arrives and improves through software. Rivian says the package will proceed to realize features through future updates, with point-to-point navigation mentioned as a coming attraction. If the improvements roll out at a gradual pace and feel genuinely polished, plenty of homeowners will see the worth. If not, it is going to be a troublesome sell, especially for individuals who already feel like they bought a premium vehicle.
Then there’s the second upgrade, and it is likely to be the one you find yourself using each day. In the primary half of 2026, Rivian plans to roll out an AI-powered Rivian Assistant to its vehicles in phases, eventually reaching every Rivian sold thus far. The promise is a more natural, less robotic voice experience that understands how people actually talk, including oddly specific requests like making everyone’s seat warm except the motive force’s. Rivian also says the assistant will have the opportunity to string tasks together, like constructing a route with coffee stops, texting your ETA, and adjusting plans based on a reply. All of it sounds ambitious, and if it really works as easily in the actual world because it does in a demo, it could finally make voice control feel like a feature you select, not one you tolerate.
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Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed on this planet of cars. Whether it’s exploring the most recent advancements in automotive technology or keeping a detailed pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and fascinating for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the latest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
