Spotted: Apple Watch As Key for Gen 2 Rivian! (I hope it works on G1, too!)

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Unfortunately that makes sense. If they could do it on an R1 vehicle they would have added it to the refresh.

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[Surferdude]

Gen2 probably has a passive locking system that actually works.

Yes. Fixing their awful entry system was probably among the top of their list for Gen2 features. It's unfortunate we are stuck with it.

 

[Dark-Fx]

If you put on your website (as recently as yesterday) that you will deliver automatic lane changes and Driver+ towing enhancements, you deliver them

"may" is doing the heavy lifting in this case.

 

[Brian-MS90D]

This is a REAL bummer (if not coming to generation 1) for an "adventure brand" company. Using watch-as-key is highly valued for runners, bikers, hikers, and more (not to mention normal every day activities).

I also don't understand why Rivian can't make this work (even if we have to pay for it). Tesla doesn't officially offer it (at least as of early '24), but we can still use the feature by purchasing this app (and it worked great):
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/watch-app-for-tesla/id1512108917

Why wouldn't a similar setup work for Rivian? Rivian must not accommodate it?

Continuing to no longer offer the wrist band is real salt in the wound.

 

[Milermore]

As a Garmin watch wearing G1 owner, I'm glad this is not retro to G1. It gives me one less G2 thing to be sad about missing out on.

 

[mkg3]

If Rivian is willing, they can make this happen using NFC instead of UWB. We already use phone as a key so there should not be any difference.

Based on what I've seen, Gen2 R1 has most things that were promised originally on Gen 1 that fell to the cutting floor, like transition glass roof that goes opaque electronically, max pack on quad and so on.

I'm betting that tank turn is gen 2 Acend model only next....

 

[Bryank87]

IDK all.. Im still optimistic. When I read the notes it seems like it will work on Gen 1, just work better on Gen 2.

Apple digital key 2 touch (NFC ONLY) works on my telluride. Apple digital key 2 (UWB + NFC) should just be better. The difference is with touch you need to touch the door or pad in car. the non touch UWB version works via proximity.

(For added convenience, we are using ultra-wideband technology to enhance our digital key experience. Rivian owners can use car keys in Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch, or with select Google Pixel devices, to seamlessly unlock and start up their vehicles, and even share keys digitally with family and friends.)

 

[ActionableDave]

This is a REAL bummer (if not coming to generation 1) for an "adventure brand" company. Using watch-as-key is highly valued for runners, bikers, hikers, and more (not to mention normal every day activities).

I also don't understand why Rivian can't make this work (even if we have to pay for it). Tesla doesn't officially offer it (at least as of early '24), but we can still use the feature by purchasing this app (and it worked great):
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/watch-app-for-tesla/id1512108917

Why wouldn't a similar setup work for Rivian? Rivian must not accommodate it?

Continuing to no longer offer the wrist band is real salt in the wound.

It is kind of like not having satellite radio availability in an adventure vehicle. I am sure they had to do that to keep TuneIn happy, but it makes no sense to not have a satellite receiver in the R1x

 

[zefram47]

I hope they turn on NFC access with apple wallet, which doesn't require UWB

This is my hope, but definitely wasn't announced. I have an NFC-enabled HomeKit lock at home and you don't have to interact with the watch at all. You just tap the watch to the lock and it opens, it's quite nice. If Rivian did enable that on Gen 1, I'd likely turn off proximity lock/unlock all-together. UWB will be nice for the Gen 2 folks as it should massively improve proximity performance, but Gen 1 definitely doesn't have the hardware for it.

 

[SwampNut]

Using watch-as-key is highly valued for runners, bikers, hikers, and more (not to mention normal every day activities).

I can't get anyone to explain this to me. Why can't you just use the shortcuts, which already works, and has worked? I have the action button on my Watch set for pre-cooling, and have other shortcuts like "unlock Rivian" and "open frunk." They work. Yes, there's a 3-7 second delay, whatever.

I had an app called Watch for Tesla for our Tesla, and the only way it could be a key was to interact with the watch. The battery in it is too small to always be active, like the phone is.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I can't get anyone to explain this to me. Why can't you just use the shortcuts, which already works, and has worked? I have the action button on my Watch set for pre-cooling, and have other shortcuts like "unlock Rivian" and "open frunk." They work. Yes, there's a 3-7 second delay, whatever.

I had an app called Watch for Tesla for our Tesla, and the only way it could be a key was to interact with the watch. The battery in it is too small to always be active, like the phone is.

Because shortcuts are very slow. Watch communicates back and forth with iPhone. Tap unlock Rivian door shortcut on Watch. Are you sure you want to unlock Rivian door? Yes. Ok, unlocking Rivian door. Phone talks to vehicle, waits for vehicle to wake and unlock. Far... far too slow to be useful. It's even slower than the widget commands from iPhone.

AWAK + proximity would offer a touch-less experience, just like PAAK, and without requiring a phone key to be present. Watch talks directly to vehicle. Gen 1 do not possess ultra-wideband bluetooth hardware. And that is the reason given for AWAK to be Gen 2 only.

 

[Southern R1S]

I hope they turn on NFC access with apple wallet, which doesn't require UWB

This is the easiest solution. UWB is still better, but they could still drastically improve the G1 experience by simply enabling NFC from Apple Wallet (already used / active with the Rivian issued key cards and wrist bands).

 

[Brian-MS90D]

I can't get anyone to explain this to me. Why can't you just use the shortcuts, which already works, and has worked? I have the action button on my Watch set for pre-cooling, and have other shortcuts like "unlock Rivian" and "open frunk." They work. Yes, there's a 3-7 second delay, whatever.

I had an app called Watch for Tesla for our Tesla, and the only way it could be a key was to interact with the watch. The battery in it is too small to always be active, like the phone is.

That approach is not sufficient and it’s not because of its slow speed. It’s because it requires both the device and the car to have an internet connection. Many underground parking garages and remote areas do not have cellular service. Your approach works until that one day your vehicle is in an underground garage and you’re trying to get in but realize there is no cell service and you’re screwed.

With my Tesla I use my Apple Ultra (battery lasts forever) and the app you mentioned which enables the watch to work as key with Bluetooth (no internet). Yes, you have to open the app on your watch (no big deal) but from there it’s near instant.

 

[SwampNut]

and you’re trying to get in but realize there is no cell service and you’re screwed.

How would you have locked it without cell service?

 

[SwampNut]

Also it would be interesting to test whether the phone, presumably locked inside the car, can still work in this case.

But what is the usage model, you go out with your phone, and then lock it in the car while on an adventure with only your watch? Right? Also, what's wrong with taking the cards, which are waterproof? But anyway, your phone is in the car, wonder if the Watch can tell it to unlock locally without cellular. I'll try this if I find myself out of cell range.

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