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Driver+/Autonomy cannot be trusted in heavy traffic – just got into an accident with a slow merging truck

R1TCntrlMaIzzy

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At least you accept your fault. And no one was hurt.

I would not post this type of thread, since it is now here for anyone to find. And unlike what some might say, ask, I would not post the video. And ask others to respect your privacy if you share it with them.
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RivAW

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2025 Gen2 R1S in California on latest software.

I had Driver+/Autonomy engaged during heavy traffic that was moving at about 5-10 mph. I then took my eyes off the road and shortly after was met with a strong jolt as if I had hit a wall to my front-right. To my horror, some work truck tried to slow merge into my lane and I had hit its side. Any human driver would have seen the truck merging in due to the slow speeds and yielded to avoid an accident, but after reviewing the incident video, Rivian's Driver+/Autonomy kept driving forward even as the truck began its merge. It's like it didn't even see the truck since it wasn't completely in the lane yet. And the anti-collision feature didn't even activate.

Front right quarter panel is wrecked and ugly along with other scratches and dings – vehicle still seems to drive fine at least. I'm so mad at myself for placing that much trust into the system. I suppose I also had the assumption that the vehicle would at least brake hard if it was about to collide with something while in Autonomy, which didn't happen. I have the incident video that I can PM to anyone that's interested.

Any chance that Rivian has liability in this scenario?

EDIT: I accept that it was my fault in the end. I will try to get the incident video to Rivian in hopes of at least helping them improve the system
I am sorry you got into an accident and your truck is damaged. I am also grateful that it seems nobody was injured. That said, this is 100% your fault and has nothing to do with Rivian. Rivian does not have full self driving and only uses adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. There is no crash avoidance system excepting emergency braking for an object directly in front of you. It's unfortunate for you, but maybe others can learn that they should educate themselves about their vehicle, the software and its limitations before overly relying on a presumed ability or feature.
 

Lrak1973

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2025 Gen2 R1S in California on latest software.

I had Driver+/Autonomy engaged during heavy traffic that was moving at about 5-10 mph. I then took my eyes off the road and shortly after was met with a strong jolt as if I had hit a wall to my front-right. To my horror, some work truck tried to slow merge into my lane and I had hit its side. Any human driver would have seen the truck merging in due to the slow speeds and yielded to avoid an accident, but after reviewing the incident video, Rivian's Driver+/Autonomy kept driving forward even as the truck began its merge. It's like it didn't even see the truck since it wasn't completely in the lane yet. And the anti-collision feature didn't even activate.

Front right quarter panel is wrecked and ugly along with other scratches and dings – vehicle still seems to drive fine at least. I'm so mad at myself for placing that much trust into the system. I suppose I also had the assumption that the vehicle would at least brake hard if it was about to collide with something while in Autonomy, which didn't happen. I have the incident video that I can PM to anyone that's interested.

Any chance that Rivian has liability in this scenario?

EDIT: I accept that it was my fault in the end. I will try to get the incident video to Rivian in hopes of at least helping them improve the system
Not legal advice from me, but I would strongly consider taking this down. While it is likely not Rivian's fault, there may be substantial fault on the part of the merging truck. Any attorney worth their salt representing that driver will immediately find your statements and try to absolve the merging driver from any culpability, which could be really bad for your insurance.
 

RivAW

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Are you sure it's your fault. You were in the lane and the truck merged into your lane. I am not sure about your local traffic laws, but seems like the merging truck did not yield for you as you have right of way in your lane.

Unless your traffic laws have definite rules that require you to yield for merging vehicles, the truck that hit you should be at 100% fault regardless of circumstance.
It might depend what State OP was in at the time (location says CA). That said, regardless, OP posted on a public forum that he/she was driving negligently (took eyes off the road and assumed a nonexistent capability of their vehicle.)....that doesn't help
 

Dark-Fx

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elektrode

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In heavy traffic, Rivian leaves a distance big enough that says to every driver on the planet “yeah, go ahead and come right on in this hole”. And a lot of drivers do just that.

And the driver+ will ram them if you’re not paying attention.

The spacing is somewhat annoying (G1 R1T here). Too far when accelerating, and “every passenger grabs the ‘oh sh1t we’re all gonna die’ handles when slowing down.

My observational opinion (of course). I’ve frequently had to cancel Driver+ because a driver nosed into that safe distance. I’d imagine in more aggressive driving states, it would be worse. For example, recent trip to DC had me on my toes cause drivers in Maryland are… uh… “aggressive” (or another word that starts with “a” and ends with “holes” :) )
 
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gultin

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My 2c after watching the video:
1. Drivers are always responsible for what their vehicle is doing at all times. I'm not sure about the law, but my horse sense tells me the truck driver isn't at fault since that driver was ahead of you and signaled that he was coming into your lane. The truck was already partially in your lane when you rear-ended/side-swiped the truck. Anyone with a better understanding of the law, please chime in.

2. Driver+/Autonomy clearly sucks based on this video. Rivian's engineers clearly aren't at fault, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be at least a bit embarrassed at their system's real-world performance. Send Rivian the video, it should only help them improve the system.
 

SANZC02

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In heavy traffic, Rivian leaves a distance big enough that says to every driver on the planet “yeah, go ahead and come right on in this hole”. And a lot of drivers do just that….
This is why I only use Driver+/Autopilot on open stretches of highway on longer stretches.

In my experience with Tesla AP1 and Rivian Driver+ on a G1 they work great on open highways to reduce fatigue. One would not think so but babysitting the driver assist even though you are watching the road and touching the wheel really does reduce fatigue, at least for me, making long highway stretches on a trip much more enjoyable.
 

phaduman

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Thanks for posting OP - describing the incident with details and honesty. Staying on the ADAS capability concern topic that OP raised (very valid BTW and thanks):

In my own short experience with Gen2 & current Teslas we have and one I migrated from (M3), it does add more caution how switching between cars with different level of capabilities such as ADAS can be a problem. Reading message boards, I know many Rivian owners are coming from Teslas or already have them. As Rivian is being valued more for its software (recent VW investment and potential to integrate that into broader VW group brands), they really need to ramp their ADAS offering.

In this particular case, I can concur observing the same - unless a merging vehicle has "completed" their merge into the Rivian's lane, the Rivian ADAS does not consider that vehicle in its lane/path (painted with a blue color) and does not slow down to create space - this is with version 47.30.

I babysat Tesla's AP3.0 h/w through its learning days (last 3yrs) and now watching the Rivian go through the same. I really am hoping Rivian+MobileEye and Rivian+NVidia would be able to get better faster (than what Tesla took developing on their own) - only time will tell - but this can make or break the company in my opinion - not just a better h/w than Tesla, or that market needs a Tesla alternative.

That said, I can add that Rivian's Gen2 assisted (enhanced?) lane change on the highways is currently better (confident, quick and accurate) in my opinion than Tesla's latest FSD system lane change (more hesitant, slow...). Good job there Rivian!!
 
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RedRaiderRivian

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In my experience with Tesla AP1 and Rivian Driver+ on a G1 they work great on open highways to reduce fatigue. One would not think so but babysitting the driver assist even though you are watching the road and touching the wheel really does reduce fatigue, at least for me, making long highway stretches on a trip much more enjoyable.
This. I am spoiled now and don't want to drive anything but my R1T if the trip is longer than 30 minutes.
 

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SASSquatch

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This is why I only use Driver+/Autopilot on open stretches of highway on longer stretches.

In my experience with Tesla AP1 and Rivian Driver+ on a G1 they work great on open highways to reduce fatigue. One would not think so but babysitting the driver assist even though you are watching the road and touching the wheel really does reduce fatigue, at least for me, making long highway stretches on a trip much more enjoyable.
This exactly. I only trust these systems on open stretches or when there is enough spacing between vehicles on the highway because if there is a miscalculation by the system you usually can take control and avoid calamity.

Putting your trust into these systems when there is so much to track (vehicles in all directions and merging) is a recipe for disaster.

@OP - I'm glad you are OK and this will inevitably be a life lesson for you. Never take your eyes off the road in any situation. Whenever I have activated these systems in my EVs I may take my hands off the wheel briefly but my eyes are always on the road.
 

lefkonj

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You should change your title too Driver+ not a replacement for paying attention.... or maybe The Driver itself can't be trusted. This is why I don't like these platforms. Nothing can replace the driver, nothing. I see so many Tesla's with the driver doing something other than driving making bad decisions. We know Tesla does this because they have made that statement themselves.
 

CrazyOne

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Are you sure it's your fault. You were in the lane and the truck merged into your lane. I am not sure about your local traffic laws, but seems like the merging truck did not yield for you as you have right of way in your lane.

Unless your traffic laws have definite rules that require you to yield for merging vehicles, the truck that hit you should be at 100% fault regardless of circumstance.
Depends on how long the driver with right of way had before crash. Last clear chance rule applies. But it must be clear and driver should have 2 -3 seconds to react. 1 second is not clear chance. Idk the actual time for the rule though.
 

iansriv

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I would not post this type of thread, since it is now here for anyone to find. And unlike what some might say, ask, I would not post the video. And ask others to respect your privacy if you share it with them.
If this happened to me, I would be most concerned about my wife finding out (j/k).
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