Why I won't be waiting for Gen3 Autonomy+ hardware on R2

[rbdavis808]

Going to be a hard decision for us. I don't think I will personally be making any assumptions that there's zero downside to Gen 2 even in the near term in 2027. At least to me there is some risk that the extra compute could make Autonomy even at lower levels a much better and robust experience.

Then Lidar is just a wildcard. They say it's for data collection initially, but they haven't fully ruled out that it won't be helpful early on either. Nobody has had that nuanced technical discussion with Rivian.

Yes, the waters do still seem a little muddy on how necessary (or at least useful) the LIDAR will be for the actual driving as opposed to just data collection only. Certainly doesn't seem like the worst idea in the world to wait for the new processors all on their own, however. I think I may have heard about some Tesla HW3 owner that now wishes he had HW4. Or maybe I'm mistaken.

In any case, a no-brainer for us as we have a relatively late 9/25 reservation, want a Premium, and do NOT want any early production software bugs or build issues. Just hope they don't run out of that blue paint before our number comes up!

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[SHRED]

I'll be 70 in November.
If a Launch Edition becomes available I'm in!

 

[MaskedRacerX]

So like many of you, I was debating between:

1. Going with a Launch Edition, which includes "lifetime" Autonomy+ and the Gen2 hardware, or...
2. Waiting until 2027 for Gen3 with LIDAR.

I wanted to share my reasoning in case it helps any of you folks.

For me it turned out to be a no-brainer—I'm going with the Launch Edition / Gen2 / lifetime Autonomy+

Here's why - because while the Gen3 hardware will eventually (2028? 2030? Later?) be superior to Gen2, it won't matter because I don't value Autonomy+ enough to pay $2,500 or $50/month for it, but if it's free with the car, I'd likely use it a bunch.

It's a weird paradox, but once I realized I'd be waiting for something I might not actually use versus getting it free (with less eventual upside) and maybe using a lot, the choice was clear.

Anyway, that's how I puzzled it out. I'm interested to know if any of you are in the same boat.

Same. No interest in that level of autonomy, the ADAS in the iX is a pretty stellar execution, but I only use it on the highway in sort of a hands-on-cruise-mode and for < 1 minute for just a quick break/adjustment/etc.

Zero desire for any kind of "drive my vehicle for me". Even the traffic mode in the iX package, that's totally hands free under 35MPH, it's designed for creep-stop-creep-stop, works flawlessly for the few minutes I've used it here and there (and the rare stuck in traffic situation), but f*** that, I can operate the vehicle and be more reactive to outlier situations by paying attention.

 

[mkg3]

To each his own....

....There’s only but so much I “like” about driving from stoplight to stoplight or watching road lines on I-40.

Agreed.

I don't see it as stoplight to stoplight and watching lines. It's a journey, albeit in traffic. There are always things to observe and new things to see that I didn't noticed before.

 

[KBabione]

From the automation demo, it seems that LIDAR will help the system identify pedestrians and bikes that potentially could be crossing your path. Does anyone know if it will be able to identify deer? That would be huge in some of the areas where I drive! If it could spot deer approaching the road from either side and warn me I'd be thrilled. I don't want it slamming on the brakes if it sees one alongside the road, but just an alert would allow me to make the determination and slow down.

We have sections of the PA Turnpike where we routinely see deer grazing alongside the highway, but they seem to be smart enough not to run out onto the road. We're not so lucky on other highways.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

Agreed.

I don't see it as stoplight to stoplight and watching lines. It's a journey, albeit in traffic. There are always things to observe and new things to see that I didn't noticed before.

Which is exactly my point!!

When I'm driving myself, I'm preoccupied with keeping my eyes on the road in front of me, watching lane lines, watching for the light to turn green, checking my mirrors, and watching the cars in front of and to the side of me.

With FSD, I'm not so intently focused on EVERYTHING happening around me, and I can actually look around and soak in my surroundings. I can look left and right and focus on stuff I've driven past for the past 10 years on backroads around my house, but never really noticed, because it's not really prudent to crane your neck when you're driving on a two-lane country road.

I've noticed so much over the past few months that I would never have paid attention to before.

 

[NoMoreGas71]

Which is exactly my point!!

When I'm driving myself, I'm preoccupied with keeping my eyes on the road in front of me, watching lane lines, watching for the light to turn green, checking my mirrors, and watching the cars in front of and to the side of me.

With FSD, I'm not so intently focused on EVERYTHING happening around me, and I can actually look around and soak in my surroundings. I can look left and right and focus on stuff I've driven past for the past 10 years on backroads around my house, but never really noticed, because it's not really prudent to crane your neck when you're driving on a two-lane country road.

I've noticed so much over the past few months that I would never have paid attention to before.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say the people saying they don’t care about autonomy have not experienced Tesla FSD 14.3. It’s a game changer for driving. Makes drives so much more relaxing and less fatiguing. I like driving too, but it is so nice to not have to drive all the time. I’ll be waiting for RAP1 and LIDAR. But to each their own!

 

[iamnid]

I’m going to go out on a limb and say the people saying they don’t care about autonomy have not experienced Tesla FSD 14.3. It’s a game changer for driving. Makes drives so much more relaxing and less fatiguing. I like driving too, but it is so nice to not have to drive all the time. I’ll be waiting for RAP1 and LIDAR. But to each their own!

I'm in both camps but I agree to a large extent. I had a model y for 4 years but hadn't been in a new one with FSD until very recently. My mind was blown at how good FSD is now. My friend, who has the new Model Y used it exclusively -- from pulling out of parking spot to parking at our destination. We were in and out of downtown Sacramento and the suburbs. There were a lot of tricky intersections, jaywalkers, bicyclists etc. and FSD handled them all exactly how a competent driver would. I think many people who think FSD is junk or doesn't work haven't seen it lately.

That said, I prefer to drive myself most of the time; however, on road trips, during monotonous stretches, I love the functionality. I also think the FSD that I saw handles itself better in the city than many drivers. I hope Rivian gets to this level some time soon but I won't be waiting for Lidar to make my R2 purchase. Rivian isn't there yet and just because the vehicle comes with Lidar isn't going to magically give it the functionality any time soon.

 

[mkg3]

Which is exactly my point!!

When I'm driving myself, I'm preoccupied with keeping my eyes on the road in front of me, watching lane lines, watching for the light to turn green, checking my mirrors, and watching the cars in front of and to the side of me.

With FSD, I'm not so intently focused on EVERYTHING happening around me, and I can actually look around and soak in my surroundings. I can look left and right and focus on stuff I've driven past for the past 10 years on backroads around my house, but never really noticed, because it's not really prudent to crane your neck when you're driving on a two-lane country road.

I've noticed so much over the past few months that I would never have paid attention to before.

I guess I've been driving so long that I can do both at the same time. I can shift my attention over different matters on a constant basis. I don't rubberneck something I missed - I don't care.

I guess it's my life long enjoyment in driving. As a kid, I raced go-karts and motocross, as a young adult, I raced Formula Ford and as an older adult, I enjoy driving from a technical perspective of vehicle dynamics, handling and so on, especially on winding country Rodas (which we don't have many in SoCal os its a drive to get to the drive). Just this past weekend, I took part in a British car rally. Not sure how I would do that with FSD since the route was a turn-by-turn instruction over 40 miles or so on a non-direct path. Regardless of what I am driving, each vehicle has its own characteristics and how best to extract most out of each within their own limits.

With FSD, most of the things I enjoy is removed from the driver.

 

[mkg3]

I’m going to go out on a limb and say the people saying they don’t care about autonomy have not experienced Tesla FSD 14.3. It’s a game changer for driving. Makes drives so much more relaxing and less fatiguing. I like driving too, but it is so nice to not have to drive all the time. I’ll be waiting for RAP1 and LIDAR. But to each their own!

Since I own an early Model 3, Tesla constantly sends me invites to test drive all their offerings with FSD. I have taken some demo drives with the latest MY with FSD Both of my neighbors on either side, have FSD enabled vehicles. They tell me how great it is, especially on traffic filled freeways. While its amazing what it can do, its not something I want currently.

As I've stated earlier, when my driving ability fails me, I have no hesitation to jump into FSD vehicle. Just not now.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I guess I've been driving so long that I can do both at the same time. I can shift my attention over different matters on a constant basis. I don't rubberneck something I missed - I don't care.

I guess it's my life long enjoyment in driving. As a kid, I raced go-karts and motocross, as a young adult, I raced Formula Ford and as an older adult, I enjoy driving from a technical perspective of vehicle dynamics, handling and so on, especially on winding country Rodas (which we don't have many in SoCal os its a drive to get to the drive). Just this past weekend, I took part in a British car rally. Not sure how I would do that with FSD since the route was a turn-by-turn instruction over 40 miles or so on a non-direct path. Regardless of what I am driving, each vehicle has its own characteristics and how best to extract most out of each within their own limits.

With FSD, most of the things I enjoy is removed from the driver.

I hear ya. But those things you talk about would be fun if I were driving a Miata, an E46 M3, a BRZ, or even a well-sorted RSX.

But when driving something like a Model Y, an R1T, or an R1S... the isolation and lack of "feel" rob me of any real sense of fun I used to enjoy in my beloved '06 Mazda 3 hatchback from two decades ago. It only had 160 horsepower, but that thing had more life and was more engaging than today's point-and-shoot EVs, weighing 5,000 to 7,000+ pounds.

Today's cars have become so monotonous, competent, and innocuous at day-to-day driving that my rationale is you might as well let them do the driving too

 

[YellowR1T]

TBH I think that is what Rivian expects the rationale to be. Offer autonomy+ with LE to keep those happy who thought about waiting for lidar or for those who don't care for autonomy at all you would still get a well equipped vehicle with some extra goodies.

I'm getting the LE because I want the R2 and am impatient and it is a very competitive package for the price.

Only thing that would make me wait is if it they confirm Red Canyon is coming later. Still holding out hope...

Need another color before ordering. The current palate of mud mixed colors is just not acceptable.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Need another color before ordering. The current palate of mud mixed colors is just not acceptable.

Hoping the limited edition colors of launch green and borealis get replaced with Rivian Blue and Red Canyon instead of just phasing out those additional colors entirely.

 

[Timbuk2000]

I currently drive an R1S Gen 2 Quad and use the current version of Autonomy+. I use it on long freeway trips from Arizona to California. I find it very relaxing.
I ordered an R2 on 3/7/24 and plan on purchasing the Launch Edition. While attending the Rivian Block Party in Venice California I spoke with one of the Rivian Guides about Lidar. Essentially he said the current Autonomy+ = hands free, with Lidar = hands free, eyes free. I do not plan to take my eyes off the road while in the drivers seat, except for brief glances at the display or mirrors. No reason to wait for Gen 3 as far as I am concerned.

 

[dleepnw]

Not according to the boss:

Gen2 R1 and non LiDAR R2 should bookmark this page and copy this video before they delete it:

Good to know. I hadn't heard that before. Maybe I was thinking of Gen1 R1

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