Rivian is redesigning a number of key features for its electric trucks and SUVs to improve the user experience and make towing easier. The company is updating its Drive Mode app, introducing a real-time metrics screen that includes information like live engine temperatures, and improving the towing experience to include an in-dock camera for the R1T. This software update, version 2023.38.0, is now available for both the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV.
In a promotional videoRivian Senior Vice President of Software Development Wassym Bensaid acknowledges customer feedback that the unit’s controls were difficult to access. Now, controls like ride height, regen modes, and more are on the far left and easier to reach. For road, off-road, and trailer modes, you can swipe on the Rivian’s image to select driving modes, including All Purpose, Conserve, Sport, and Snow.
On the other side of the screen, drivers now get a gauge view that shows live information about the vehicle as they drive. In addition to the motors, you also get a reading for battery temperature, tire pressure, A/B travel, and elevation. When you’re in off-road mode, you can see pitch and roll indicators to help you navigate difficult terrain.
Rivian vehicles are receiving a number of improvements to help make towing a trailer or boat a little easier. In the new Trailers tab, you can save three different trailer profiles depending on what you’re towing, and you can track estimated weight and trip data, as well as provide more accurate predictions for how your battery range is affected. And for R1T drivers, the rear truck bed camera is now accessible in the camera app to better keep an eye on your trailer.
Rivian’s latest software improvements show the benefits of over-the-air updates coming directly from automakers, a benefit Tesla owners have long reaped. In this update, Rivian is also fixing some bugs, such as a climate control screen that could go blank, a media app bug that could crash when performing a search, reduced active grille shutter noise when waking up, Higher resolution on the loading graph screen. in the Rivian app, improved sound from the overhead speakers, and access to the door handles from the outside when in car wash mode.
