Photo: Rivian
Once praised for its timely and meaningful software updates, Rivian disappointed its customers in November with a botched update followed by a broken fix. The EV startup wants to make things right for the holidays with a feature-packed update, which is now in internal testing.
Rivian is one of the carmakers that spoiled its customers with new features pushed to their vehicles thanks to a solid over-the-air update framework. Most of the time, Rivian updates brought new features and improvements while squashing some bugs when needed. The EV startup certainly impressed everyone when it changed the suspension setup of its trucks with a software update. Many owners said the change was like having a new vehicle with a much-improved ride quality.
Other times, Rivian updates have caused frustration and left owners stranded. A nasty bug in March caused the low-voltage battery to die, bricking the vehicles. The only fix was a service center visit to replace the 12-volt batteries. Rivian explained that a bug introduced with the 2023.6.2 update broke the connection between the high-voltage battery and the 12-volt component, preventing the latter from charging.
The battery glitch was unpleasant for Rivian owners because many don't have a service center nearby. Thankfully, Rivian decided to pay for all the trouble, including hauling the bricked trucks to the service center. Everyone thought that Rivian had learned its lesson and would give quality control the much-needed attention so that it didn't repeat. Alas, it happened again with the Thanksgiving update.
The 2023.42 update was greenlighted after internal tests showed it was production-ready. However, when Rivian pushed it to customer vehicles, it sent the wrong security certificate, soft-bricking the infotainment system. The trucks were still drivable, but the screens went blank, preventing access to most critical features, including climate control and driver assist features.
Rivian provided a software fix that returned the vehicles to the working condition, and everyone was happy. That was until more software bugs surfaced, annoying owners and prompting Rivian to withdraw the update. With so many failures, the EV startup was pressed to offer a new update that works. The December update should provide both relief and enthusiasm and wipe the slate clean after the previously failed updates.
This update is now in internal testing as version 2023.46 and will likely get to customer vehicles in the next couple of weeks if everything is in order. This update will bring many new features, including revamped Highway Assist and Navigation experience. With the update, Highway Assist automatically reengages after you change lanes, something the Rivian owners requested a long time ago.
Another missing feature was the ability to add stops along your route during trip planning. The new function is available in the vehicle navigation system as well as in the Rivian app and Google Maps. Basically, you plot the route with all the necessary stops on the Rivian app or Google Maps and then send it to your Rivian. This should appease owners who long for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
Other times, Rivian updates have caused frustration and left owners stranded. A nasty bug in March caused the low-voltage battery to die, bricking the vehicles. The only fix was a service center visit to replace the 12-volt batteries. Rivian explained that a bug introduced with the 2023.6.2 update broke the connection between the high-voltage battery and the 12-volt component, preventing the latter from charging.
The battery glitch was unpleasant for Rivian owners because many don't have a service center nearby. Thankfully, Rivian decided to pay for all the trouble, including hauling the bricked trucks to the service center. Everyone thought that Rivian had learned its lesson and would give quality control the much-needed attention so that it didn't repeat. Alas, it happened again with the Thanksgiving update.
The 2023.42 update was greenlighted after internal tests showed it was production-ready. However, when Rivian pushed it to customer vehicles, it sent the wrong security certificate, soft-bricking the infotainment system. The trucks were still drivable, but the screens went blank, preventing access to most critical features, including climate control and driver assist features.
Rivian provided a software fix that returned the vehicles to the working condition, and everyone was happy. That was until more software bugs surfaced, annoying owners and prompting Rivian to withdraw the update. With so many failures, the EV startup was pressed to offer a new update that works. The December update should provide both relief and enthusiasm and wipe the slate clean after the previously failed updates.
This update is now in internal testing as version 2023.46 and will likely get to customer vehicles in the next couple of weeks if everything is in order. This update will bring many new features, including revamped Highway Assist and Navigation experience. With the update, Highway Assist automatically reengages after you change lanes, something the Rivian owners requested a long time ago.
Another missing feature was the ability to add stops along your route during trip planning. The new function is available in the vehicle navigation system as well as in the Rivian app and Google Maps. Basically, you plot the route with all the necessary stops on the Rivian app or Google Maps and then send it to your Rivian. This should appease owners who long for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
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