Photo: @MopedPurple via X
Rivian's software chief Wassym Bensaid offered a rare update on the new features coming to the R1 vehicles with the upcoming refresh. The software wizard revealed that not all of them will be available to existing owners, with a realistic estimate being 80%. Bensaid said that Rivian would work hard to bridge the gap, but we know this would not be the case.
Rivian paused production at its Normal, Illinois factory to overhaul the production lines for the refreshed R1 models. The updated R1S and R1T are expected to feature major changes ranging from manufacturing optimizations to platform enhancements. The main goal is to improve efficiency and cut costs, but the new models, expected to start deliveries in the second half of the year, will also sport new features and optimizations.
The most radical change will be replacing the Quad-Motor variants with tri-motor configurations, similar to what Rivian announced for the R2 and R3 vehicles. Rivian will also introduce a new Entry trim to make the R1 vehicles more affordable. At the other end of the scale, the Premium trim will bring more features than the current Adventure package, mainly in the comfort and luxury department.
Many changes are expected under the hood, including new wiring and streamlining of the electrical architecture with fewer ECUs. However, Rivian will also step up its software game, with many new features expected to debut on the refreshed R1 vehicles. Rivian's software chief, Wassym Bensaid, discussed some of them during a Q&A session in San Jose, California.
The refreshed R1 vehicles will get the new user interface from the R2 models. This will eventually arrive to older vehicles via an over-the-air update. Rivian will improve smartphone integration, including an "Apple Watch As A Key" feature. Better Android support is also in the works, although Wassym said this is more difficult because of the fragmented nature of the Android ecosystem. Video streaming, a feature rumored before, will land this summer. The videos will stream in high definition with surround sound.
According to Bensaid, the refreshed R1 vehicles will sport new computing hardware and sensor suites, allowing Rivian to offer improved driver assistance features. Rivian is expected to offer more advanced driver assistance, including a revamped Driver+ with a Summon function. Wassym Bensaid also hinted at a future automatic parking feature. A Driver+ subscription with new features will come later this year, and Rivian is preparing a Connectivity subscription. The number one priority is increasing the coverage for the Highway Assist.
Not all of these improvements will come to the current R1 vehicles, because they depend on the new hardware. According to Bensaid, about 80% of the new features will be backported to the existing R1 fleet. Rivian will also work to close the gap, although many new features will depend on the latest hardware. This will make this difficult unless an affordable retrofit option is offered.
The most radical change will be replacing the Quad-Motor variants with tri-motor configurations, similar to what Rivian announced for the R2 and R3 vehicles. Rivian will also introduce a new Entry trim to make the R1 vehicles more affordable. At the other end of the scale, the Premium trim will bring more features than the current Adventure package, mainly in the comfort and luxury department.
Many changes are expected under the hood, including new wiring and streamlining of the electrical architecture with fewer ECUs. However, Rivian will also step up its software game, with many new features expected to debut on the refreshed R1 vehicles. Rivian's software chief, Wassym Bensaid, discussed some of them during a Q&A session in San Jose, California.
The refreshed R1 vehicles will get the new user interface from the R2 models. This will eventually arrive to older vehicles via an over-the-air update. Rivian will improve smartphone integration, including an "Apple Watch As A Key" feature. Better Android support is also in the works, although Wassym said this is more difficult because of the fragmented nature of the Android ecosystem. Video streaming, a feature rumored before, will land this summer. The videos will stream in high definition with surround sound.
According to Bensaid, the refreshed R1 vehicles will sport new computing hardware and sensor suites, allowing Rivian to offer improved driver assistance features. Rivian is expected to offer more advanced driver assistance, including a revamped Driver+ with a Summon function. Wassym Bensaid also hinted at a future automatic parking feature. A Driver+ subscription with new features will come later this year, and Rivian is preparing a Connectivity subscription. The number one priority is increasing the coverage for the Highway Assist.
Not all of these improvements will come to the current R1 vehicles, because they depend on the new hardware. According to Bensaid, about 80% of the new features will be backported to the existing R1 fleet. Rivian will also work to close the gap, although many new features will depend on the latest hardware. This will make this difficult unless an affordable retrofit option is offered.
Rivian Owners event Q&A with head of software Wassym Bensaid https://t.co/n7c8Cpl7s6
— The Kilowatts ⚡️ (@klwtts) April 20, 2024
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