Tank Turn Compromise? (attn Rivian engineers)

[Taiga]

So the new electric G Wagon has "tank turn" and "G-turn". It seems like Mercedes is striking a responsible yet playful balance here. I understand and appreciate that tank turn is against Rivian's ethos, however couldn't a "G-turn" like feature be feasible for the quad motor R1's? For the uninitiated, it's a feature that spins the outside wheels and holds the rear inside wheel allowing for a tighter turning radius off road. While I'm against doing endless doughnuts in nature, the G Wagon limits tank turn to 720 degrees. I'd settle for 360 degrees or even a modest and practical 45. OTA update please!

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[Eric9610]

100% a software locked feature on the quads. This can be completed in an update if they choose.

 

[Rivifan]

I tried posting this on the Rivian subreddit, as im to understand the software team skims for ideas there. But it was automatically flagged by Reddit and never posted, not sure why (brand Redditor here). Id love to try again to see if it can get any upvote traction if anyone can suggest some proper wordsmithing. Or perhaps if the engineering team skims this forum for ideas, then mission accomplished

-An Auditable Tank-mode-

I had a blast at an off-roading park last fall with a bunch of Jeeps & 4Runners, and somebody there had asked I could do tank mode. There was a big 'ol dirt parking lot practice area that would have been perfect for it. So got me thinking, what if the owner had agreed to it, and I could prove that...

I know last year RJ said in a Q&A that it goes against their messaging to tread lightly. ok, fair point for public lands, but what about on private land? Either your own, or permission from the land owner?

What if its opt-in and when you enable it and use it, it automatically reports back to Rivian that it happened, and you have so many days to prove that you had permission from the land owner, or own the land yourself, and you're good. Or where you agree to be audited if the feature is used. and then in either case, if you fail the audit, you can lose the feature.

Or something similar?

Thoughts?

 

[AtlaWater]

Rivian stated that tank turning does not adhere to its "tread lightly" ethos. Whether that holds true or not, it would be a moot point if they simply limited the top speed of the tank turn.

Frankly, I've been in several way-too-tight parking garages where tank turn would have been a legitimate convenience.

 

[Mathme]

Rivian said they have the capability to do it but won't as it's not aligned with their ethos.

Asking them for this feature is just a waste of time.

 

[vandy1981]

Frankly, I've been in several way-too-tight parking garages where tank turn would have been a legitimate convenience.

I would be surprised if you didn't slide into another car or column if the quarters were that close.

Look at how the G-class drifts even on slicked-down pavement:

Tank turn is just a party trick and I'm glad Rivian isn't wasting time on this feature.

 

[jplblue]

Ethics aside, tank turn (whether by Rivian of MB) seems like it could go sideways quickly. What if you're on a slant or a slope? What if one wheel catches on something mid-turn? The tie rod is a well known weak point. I'm sure you can engineer around the problem, but at that point, there'd be so many caveats that any joy would be gone.

 

[defcon888]

I tried posting this on the Rivian subreddit, as im to understand the software team skims for ideas there. But it was automatically flagged by Reddit and never posted, not sure why (brand Redditor here). Id love to try again to see if it can get any upvote traction if anyone can suggest some proper wordsmithing. Or perhaps if the engineering team skims this forum for ideas, then mission accomplished

-An Auditable Tank-mode-

I had a blast at an off-roading park last fall with a bunch of Jeeps & 4Runners, and somebody there had asked I could do tank mode. There was a big 'ol dirt parking lot practice area that would have been perfect for it. So got me thinking, what if the owner had agreed to it, and I could prove that...

I know last year RJ said in a Q&A that it goes against their messaging to tread lightly. ok, fair point for public lands, but what about on private land? Either your own, or permission from the land owner?

What if its opt-in and when you enable it and use it, it automatically reports back to Rivian that it happened, and you have so many days to prove that you had permission from the land owner, or own the land yourself, and you're good. Or where you agree to be audited if the feature is used. and then in either case, if you fail the audit, you can lose the feature.

Or something similar?

Thoughts?

Maybe they will add it and limit it to a slow speed and only 360 to 720 to get you out of a situation. If you let people loose with it, they will abuse it.

I know there would be people saying "Hey, Rivian, I paid $100k for my quad, I should be able to do with it what I want".

 

[Singletracker]

I know there would be people saying "Hey, Rivian, I paid $100k for my quad, I should be able to do with it what I want".

And, that’s exactly why Rivian doesn’t want to add this feature. A lot of idiots thinks it‘s just fine to do exactly what they want, regardless of any negative impact on the environment or others. As a life long dirt biker, I‘ve spent many tens of thousands of miles off road, in my life, and it’s shameful the wanton destruction that some people cause, just because they can. I’m not blaming dirt bikers, here. It‘s the 4 wheel vehicles, of all kinds, that do the vast majority of the damage. And, yes. I do take my R1T off road, responsibly.

Thank you Rivian for not enabling the tank turn!

 

[ads75]

I tried posting this on the Rivian subreddit, as im to understand the software team skims for ideas there. But it was automatically flagged by Reddit and never posted, not sure why (brand Redditor here). Id love to try again to see if it can get any upvote traction if anyone can suggest some proper wordsmithing. Or perhaps if the engineering team skims this forum for ideas, then mission accomplished

-An Auditable Tank-mode-

I had a blast at an off-roading park last fall with a bunch of Jeeps & 4Runners, and somebody there had asked I could do tank mode. There was a big 'ol dirt parking lot practice area that would have been perfect for it. So got me thinking, what if the owner had agreed to it, and I could prove that...

I know last year RJ said in a Q&A that it goes against their messaging to tread lightly. ok, fair point for public lands, but what about on private land? Either your own, or permission from the land owner?

What if its opt-in and when you enable it and use it, it automatically reports back to Rivian that it happened, and you have so many days to prove that you had permission from the land owner, or own the land yourself, and you're good. Or where you agree to be audited if the feature is used. and then in either case, if you fail the audit, you can lose the feature.

Or something similar?

Thoughts?

Do you really expect Rivian, or any manufacturer, to follow up if something was legal/allowed AFTER they have done a thing (such as tank turn), and probably posted to social media? Should the manufacturers also follow up if it seems like someone violated a speed limit? Or changed lanes without a signal?

 

[Glembi2]

…
Frankly, I've been in several way-too-tight parking garages where tank turn would have been a legitimate convenience.

I agree. Throwing the Rivian into a power slide just to fit into a tiny parking space, while possible, would be tricky.

?

Edit: power sliding in my old Mazda3 was a blast. Maybe changing to drift mode would do it?

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