Wassym AMA Summary - from 6/13/2024 (Gen1, Gen2 & More)

[MrMusAddict]

Hey everyone, here's a consolidated summary of Wassym's AMA yesterday. I believe I've captured anything, but please let me know if I missed anything.


Statements/Commitments on Gen1 Driver+ Longevity

• For autonomous features, they have committed to supporting Gen1 if the hardware allows.
  • No examples of possible new autonomous features were given.
  • One example of existing-feature improvement was given; improved lane line detection.
• Wassym confirms that “Lane Change Assist” listed on the website is the existing Driver+ Re-Engagement behavior currently available in all vehicles. “Lane Change On Command” is the new RAP+ feature exclusive to Gen2.
• Rivian will not be offering hardware retrofits for Gen1
• Geofencing on Driver+ will remain, although they will continue to expand the number of whitelisted highways.

Confirmed coming to Gen1 (and Gen2) in June OTA Update:

• Blind Spot Cameras in Dashboard
• Improved Suspension Tuning for Ride Comfort
• New artistic styling
• Redesigned HVAC app (Tri-climate zones coming in the future though)
• Scheduling future OTA updates, so they install while you sleep for example.

Confirmed coming to Gen1 (and Gen2), but coming later/eventually, or not explicitly included in June’s OTA Update

• Texting integration. A short term solution will launch first, before they release a “seamless long-term voice solution”.
• Trailer Assist
• V2V & V2H
• Gen1 Launch Mode (Only Quad was mentioned. No comment on if Dual Performance will get it too)
• Ambient Lighting Controls, with less customizability due to hardware differences on Gen1. Assumed not in June OTA because he said “We’re working on a solution”.
• Tri-climate zone controls
• Advanced Audio EQ settings
• Dolby Atmos (All sound systems, except the Gen2 non-Premium sound system)
• More settings tied to each Driver, including climate vent positions.
• Mirror Tilting in reverse
• “Stay On” Mode (Climate hold)
• Tire size selection without a SC appointment
• Cameras turning on automatically when at low speeds in parking lots
• Driver+ will be less hamstrung when plugging in powered trailer accessories (like a bike rack with brake lights)
• PIN to Drive, and other security features.
• Vallet mode
• Camp mode controls from rear screen
• Phone tethering to circumvent Connect+ subscription.

Confirmed/Reaffirmed NOT coming to Gen1, but is coming to Gen2

• Apple Watch as a Key. Stated reason; if they added it to Gen1, it would be via a custom Bluetooth protocol which would cause unreasonable battery drain. No comment made on why they couldn’t use NFC instead.
• Rivian Autonomous Platform. No new insights were given into what obstacles make this impossible on Gen1.
• Buying a spare key FOB (it will use the new UWB tech in Gen2)
• Green-Light Indicator (requires new sensor)

Requests that Rivian will look into

• Access to camera while towing & cruise control is on (currently, the drive-mode screen is fully disabled in this scenario)
• Blinker volume adjustment (expect the current volume to be the minimum due to regulations).
• Option to disable handles from presenting when the vehicle is unlocked.
• More granular charge scheduling, to help people with unique time-of-use schedules.
• Improving Bluetooth Audio experience
• “Teen Driving Mode” (reduced top speed limit, and acceleration)
• Adding fun things that engage the community (think of Waze’s status/avatar visibility)
• Resume Cruise Control

Miscellaneous

• Wassym called Gary “Gary”
• Adding a customer-based Beta program at some point in the future, for testing unreleased software updates.
• Connect+ Only available in US and CA at this time.
• Apple Music will connect to your Apple account. Gated behind Connect+ (or phone tethering)
• SiriusXM is not gated behind Connect+. If you are subscribing to SiriusXM, it will be available to you for no extra charge.
• More Gary merch coming.
• Wassym drives a red Gen1 R1S and will upgrade to a Storm Blue Gen 2 R1S.

Here's a link to Wassym's profile (so you can simply see all of his answers): https://reddit.com/user/WassymRivian

Here's a link to the AMA:

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[Ironcitijc]

Thanks! Appreciate the summary.

 

[NY_Rob]

Thank you for the consolidation @MrMusAddict

 

[jjswan33]

Thanks for summarizing.

My comments for how I use my truck based on above:

- Camp screen controls from the app, yes back screen is useful for R1S owners but what about us R1T owners sleeping on or over the bed.
- Looser Geo-Fencing rules for D+ so mine actually works with something mounted over the antennae.

 

[jplblue]

Thanks! Does anyone know if this will be available on Gen1 or does it need Gen2 hardware? I don't care about lane change on command or hands-free driving, but this would be neat to pair with the blind spot display.

 

[jplblue]

- Looser Geo-Fencing rules for D+ so mine actually works with something mounted over the antennae.

Can I ask what you mean? So you can't use D+ at all because your antenna is covered? Or does the poorer reception (due to obstruction) cause the truck to lose your location and disable D+ at times?

 

[MrMusAddict]

Thanks! Does anyone know if this will be available on Gen1 or does it need Gen2 hardware? I don't care about lane change on command or hands-free driving, but this would be neat to pair with the blind spot display.

This requires Gen2. The community has surmised that Gen2 uses a newer version of MobileEye, which on the MobileEye website specifically calls out features that Rivian is also advertising for RAP+ (exclusive to Gen2), such as;

• Automated Lane Changes
• Traffic awareness (Speed reduction when approaching traffic jams)
• 360° vision integration

This corroborates what we see in Gen1, which is that the only awareness it has is forward-facing.

https://www.mobileye.com/solutions/super-vision/

 

[jjswan33]

Can I ask what you mean? So you can't use D+ at all because your antenna is covered? Or does the poorer reception (due to obstruction) cause the truck to lose your location and disable D+ at times?

I can't say for sure the root cause but yes many people have reported spotty D+ with roof mounted tents and campers like mine. My theory is poor GPS reception disabling D+

 

[COdogman]

Miscellaneous

• Wassym called Gary “Gary”
• Adding a customer-based Beta program at some point in the future, for testing unreleased software updates.
• Connect+ Only available in US and CA at this time.
• Apple Music will connect to your Apple account. Gated behind Connect+ (or phone tethering)
• SiriusXM is not gated behind Connect+. If you are subscribing to SiriusXM, it will be available to you for no extra charge.
• More Gary merch coming.
• Wassym drives a red Gen1 R1S and will upgrade to a Storm Blue Gen 2 R1S.

Here's a link to Wassym's profile (so you can simply see all of his answers): https://reddit.com/user/WassymRivian

Here's a link to the AMA:

By far the most important development.

Thank you for the excellent summarization.

 

[jplblue]

This requires Gen2. The community has surmised that Gen2 uses a newer version of MobileEye, which on the MobileEye website specifically calls out features that Rivian is also advertising for RAP+ (exclusive to Gen2), such as;

• Automated Lane Changes
• Traffic awareness (Speed reduction when approaching traffic jams)
• 360° vision integration

This corroborates what we see in Gen1, which is that the only awareness it has is forward-facing.

https://www.mobileye.com/solutions/super-vision/

So is Rivian using MobileEye or are they developing their own software? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

 

[MrMusAddict]

So is Rivian using MobileEye or are they developing their own software? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

My understanding is;

• Gen1 is using MobilEye v4 permanently
• Gen2 has MobilEye v5 for now, but the vehicle is equipped to switch over to Rivian's solution when it's ready.
• Presumably, Gen3 will drop MobilEye

This is based off of this reddit comment:

 

[srkz]

So is Rivian using MobileEye or are they developing their own software? Sorry if this is a stupid question.

In Gen 1 they gave up on using their own software and stuck a (somewhat limited) MobilEye system with a single camera in the windshield. The other cameras didn't really do anything outside of 360-view and gear guard.

In Gen 2, they upgraded the MobilEye camera to enable off-the-shelf MobilEye features like auto-lane-change and the new 360 visualization, but they also included one of their own cameras in the windshield and better computers to build their own Tesla-like system in house in parallel with the Mobileye system.

Their goal is to continue working on their own system in parallel so that it can be ready for future vehicles without MobilEye, but in the meantime all of the ADAS features are still coming straight from the off-the-shelf MobilEye system.

 

[DaveA]

Thanks for summarizing.

My comments for how I use my truck based on above:

- Camp screen controls from the app, yes back screen is useful for R1S owners but what about us R1T owners sleeping on or over the bed.
- Looser Geo-Fencing rules for D+ so mine actually works with something mounted over the antennae.

Hmm, maybe a Camp Control mode in the app sometime?

 

[jplblue]

My understanding is;

• Gen1 is using MobilEye v4 permanently
• Gen2 has MobilEye v5 for now, but the vehicle is equipped to switch over to Rivian's solution when it's ready.
• Presumably, Gen3 will drop MobilEye

This is based off of this reddit comment:

Damn, those are good questions. Too bad Wassym didn't answer.

 

[wjhdrew]

very cool to see this refresh with also some future proofing so they can develop concurrently with older and newer/propriety technologies. Looking forward to seeing what they do in Gen 3. For now, my view is that I'm happy with my Gen1. Waiting on R3X. If Gen3 comes in 5-10 years, that could be good timing for a refresh of my Gen1 R1. =D

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