Software Update 2023.50 -- Scheduled battery preconditioning & other useful improvements!

[R.I.P.]

One thing I am wondering and making me think maybe I misunderstood something...

How can these precondition the battery pack without moving?

I thought the preconditioning happened by running the motors purposefully inefficient and causing heating to the coolant. Can this be done on a non-moving motor? Or is there another resistive heating element in the system?

Yes. The truck can, and does use the motor windings as heater coils, even if the vehicle is parked.

Sponsored

 

[technerd]

Man, they've been consistently pumping out the updates, and they're useful ones at that. I'm seriously impressed (the botched update aside, hopefully lesson learned on that one).

1 year anniversary today and I have zero regrets on the most expensive vehicle I've ever purchased.

 

[R1Tom]

Yes. The truck can, and does use the motor windings as heater coils, even if the vehicle is parked.

Makes sense that is how it does it. How do thry physically accomplish getting this ti happen and not produce some torque at the motor shaft?

 

[Spaceball1]

Nice Christmas present from Rivian!

And this - blended braking. We knew that the Bosch system Rivian uses had this capability (in theory) - finally!

Regenerative Brake Assist
The new Regenerative Brake Assist feature improved deceleration performance in cold climates, on long downhills, and in vehicle high states of charge by blending more consistently and seamlessly with standard braking. To disable this feature, go to Settings > Driver+ > Regen Brake Assist.

This is the big one for me, since I live on the side of a mountain and come down about 500 ft in elevation just in my neighborhood everyday. Annoying how I lose regen about 3/4 of the way down, no matter the temperature of the motors/battery. Would like to see them improve the regen but blending braking is a good step for usability!

 

[R.I.P.]

Makes sense that is how it does it. How do thry physically accomplish getting this ti happen and not produce some torque at the motor shaft?

Makes sense that is how it does it. How do thry physically accomplish getting this ti happen and not produce some torque at the motor shaft?

To create torque, the windings must be excited to interact with the permanent magnets in a certain order. An electric motor can just as easily create braking action by reversing that order, and can also lock the armature in place by exciting opposed windings.

And yes, because I am getting used to the posters on here that love to jump in with the "technically" caveat, the above is a vast simplification of the process. I'm just trying to answer in helpful terms.
?

 

[R.I.P.]

This is the big one for me, since I live on the side of a mountain and come down about 500 ft in elevation just in my neighborhood everyday. Annoying how I lose regen about 3/4 of the way down, no matter the temperature of the motors/battery. Would like to see them improve the regen but blending braking is a good step for usability!

I dislike this feature a lot, and have it disabled on the Tesla's. I would like to be the one to use the brakes appropriately, not leave that job to the computer. Especially in the situation you are talking about, with the possibility of prolonged brake usage, I don't want it just dragging on the brakes all the way down the hill.

That said, the more we can each make our own choices based on our own comfort levels, the better! Great update.
?

 

[Killer95Stang]

This is blending on the throttle pedal and not the brake pedal right?

Blended braking means it will apply the brakes mechanically. If you hover over the brake, it will feel like the pedal is pulling away from your foot.

That is what my Rivian neighbor told me on Friday at the Pasadena Hub grand opening. Also, his personal vehicle is part of the Beta tester program. On Friday he just received the email that he was getting .50.0 in the next few days. He figured he would have it by Monday at the soonest, so this OTA has only been in the hands of employee testers for three days at the most.

 

[R1Tom]

To create torque, the windings must be excited to interact with the permanent magnets in a certain order. An electric motor can just as easily create braking action by reversing that order, and can also lock the armature in place by exciting opposed windings.

And yes, because I am getting used to the posters on here that love to jump in with the "technically" caveat, the above is a vast simplification of the process. I'm just trying to answer in helpful terms.
?

That actually helps me alot. I appreciate you putting it in those terms and it helps me understand how it happens!

 

[Spaceball1]

I dislike this feature a lot, and have it disabled on the Tesla's. I would like to be the one to use the brakes appropriately, not leave that job to the computer. Especially in the situation you are talking about, with the possibility of prolonged brake usage, I don't want it just dragging on the brakes all the way down the hill.

That said, the more we can each make our own choices based on our own comfort levels, the better! Great update.
?

When I had my Tesla they added blended braking while I owned it. Loved it. You can still one-pedal drive it and not touch the brake pedal at all, which is what I like. You can still alter the braking by throttling up on the accelerator, which would be the same affect as not touching the brakes and coasting down the hill, to avoid overusing the brakes. I got used to it pretty quick, but yes, it's not as obvious and if I lived on any longer of a hill I'd be more careful about it, but it is only maybe 1/4 mile more that I lose full regen on the Rivian so not a massive hit to the brakes, in my application anyway.

Also, it says you can turn off this new feature, so each person can decide if they like it

 

[R.I.P.]

The R1 is a heavy vehicle, and if you are towing, even heavier. I am not teaching anybody anything new by telling you that on a prolonged descent, one should pump the brakes to manage the heat. Not doing so can cause problems to include brake fade and warped rotors.

When selecting which setting to use with this new update, understand that blended braking will not pump the brakes, it will drag them. You can imagine the disruption to the passengers if somebody other than the driver were to start pumping the brakes lol.

Just something to think about for your specific situation.
?

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

And yes, because I am getting used to the posters on here that love to jump in with the "technically" caveat, the above is a vast simplification of the process. I'm just trying to answer in helpful terms.
?

 

[Spaceball1]

The R1 is a heavy vehicle, and if you are towing, even heavier. I am not teaching anybody anything new by telling you that on a prolonged descent, one should pump the brakes to manage the heat. Not doing so can cause problems to include brake fade and warped rotors.

When selecting which setting to use with this new update, understand that blended braking will not pump the brakes, it will drag them. You can imagine the disruption to the passengers if somebody other than the driver were to start pumping the brakes lol.

Just something to think about for your specific situation.
?

I wonder if it won’t do blending in tow mode. Either way, I’d prefer to have it on than off.

 

[topracer]

mmm ... wondering the same.

"Improved vehicle maneuverability at low speeds"? Will it reduce the turning radius at low speed.

Can't believe everyone's glossing over the fact that Tank Turn is finally here.

 

[Spaceball1]

mmm ... wondering the same.

"Improved vehicle maneuverability at low speeds"? Will it reduce the turning radius at low speed.

I think others nailed this one in that it’ll be improvements to the motor torque during slow tight turns. I’ve noticed that it acts like it has a locker with front wheels fighting the pavement during hard turns, so likely it is just the tuning for the motors to smooth it out. Which in some cases, may improve turning radius slightly.

 

[djsider2]

Can someone explain why preconditioning is better than warming it up as you drive? Aren’t you going to eventually heat it up anyways?

Sponsored