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R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill.

SpinDoc7

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EyeOnRivian

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Thanks @SpinDoc7 ! I'll probably check it out as it's a relatively short road trip for me. At first I was hoping it would be held at the Rivian plant or at least on its grounds but the mention of "Uptown Normal" got me thinking otherwise. So I contacted the author of that article and he confirmed it will be at different location and outside. I suspect it won't be as nice as the private events but considering it's proximity to me it's hard to pass up especially since I have not had the chance to see either of the EAVs in person.
 
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SpinDoc7

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For all attending, we're always eager for video and more pics! Thanks.
 

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EyeOnRivian

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I attended the free public event Rivian hosted this past Sunday in Normal, IL. I was stoked as this was my first Rivian event. Some reports estimated 2000 people turned out. RJ briefly spoke after the mayor of Normal introduced him. The silver and light blue R1T and the evergreen R1S were available for viewing. In addition they had a full size mock-up of the skateboard platform just outside of their temporary showroom which included more information about the EAVs, the gear tunnels as seats to watch a video, and a counter with HR personnel for those seeking employment with Rivian.

Here are some of my notes from talking to various Rivian employees. Some of these may have been addressed and posted by others in other threads from past events.
  • Online EAV configurator should be online in 2Q 2020
  • Test Drive Program is still being planned but no date yet other than prior to launch. I asked multiple employees if this will occur prior to configuring one’s order. Answers varied but a customer experience employee, who also has a pre-order, mentioned a proposal of the purchasing process is about to be presented to RJ. I was told the proposal will include an option for a pre-order holder to delay configuring their EAV for whatever reason (e.g. until a test drive can be done) without losing their place in line. Clearly though this will delay your EAV from being built thus receiving it later than you would have.
  • Vehicle safety / crash testing by external organizations should start around next April.
  • I asked if Rivian EAVs will have a vehicle security / theft protection system, something like Tesla’s Sentry mode, and I was told yes, but of course they could not provide any details at this time.

  • 3 interior colors will be available which we have seen in the prototypes. And 8 exterior colors, most of which we have seen (silver, evergreen, white, light blue, black), will be available for both EAVs. When I asked if they plan on offering something more than the usual mainstream colors, the response was “Oh yea!” and then qualifying his response with “we ARE paying attention to the posts in the Rivian forums.”
  • The EAVs will have a similar setting to Tesla’s "Camper mode" that will, for example, allow you to run the climate control when “camping” within the vehicle cabin.
  • While talking with a platform (aka skateboard) engineer I asked if the regen braking will be available via the accelerator or brake pedal. To my surprise he said brake pedal but wasn’t sure about the accelerator pedal.
  • Somebody in one of the forums asked where/how to refill windshield fluid. I know this is minor but I thought it was an amusing question that stuck in my head. In the frunk on the driver side there is a panel that can be removed to gain access to the windshield fluid reservoir.
  • Since there is no light-blocking hood above the driver/instrument (like in most ICE vehicles) and center displays, an engineer told me that the displays will be coated with an anti-glare but wasn’t sure of the exact method.
  • All 4 roof options will be available for both the R1S and R1T. The solid roof will be standard. The removable panel”S” will fit within the gear tunnel in the R1T and within the cargo area for the R1S.
  • They plan on providing a portable charger along with various charging adapters but they had no details at this time. They said these types of features/options are what’s currently being determined and ironed out.
  • I couldn’t get a definitive answer from multiple employees but most believed kneel mode (lowest vehicle height setting) should be available while the vehicle is moving. E.g. vehicle lowers (assuming programmed by user) before entering your garage or a parking garage without having to first stop the vehicle.
  • They receive approximately 2000 emails a day of people asking or requesting various vehicle options. Currently they only have three staff members going through these emails but like many positions within the company they are looking to hire more people. But did emphasize they do want to hear from us so keep sending them ideas / feedback.

** R1S specific **
  • Like the R1T, the R1S will have a full size spare tire. Trevor, R1S team lead, said they scrimped and scrapped for every last mm to fit one in. When I asked if this had anything to do with the R1S (and R1T but for a different reason) vehicle length increasing from the original spec sheet by about 2 inches, he smiled and said yes.
  • R1S tailgate is powered but will not open 180 degrees like the R1T.
  • R1S will have USB and power outlets available in the cargo area like R1T, but no air compressor.

Rivian R1T R1S R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill. ZNRdeHysHTZN6bx0NuFHbdO8RT-Si0dz_ZJds92jntyv5Z69bEfuMO0k3EcNh4udKX8anjkNLdpoHeSCDQ=w1127-h845-no


Rivian R1T R1S R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill. FPPJnG_Q4UM5fRchA7d8MQ8RO-GjLsVoVakYEDYnZVSFD_fJJo2Za6Q9BoNEJb5AwK8frO0BIN-RK8y-3o=w1127-h845-no


Rivian R1T R1S R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill. 7hJJA1BxxiiyijH14U-1szl91_8-9NC-oqLaUFAzkhjsfHtmY_9CdPueLwPz-FZE0YhdRu2NAD0yJ-OikE=w1127-h845-no


Rivian R1T R1S R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill. rRQwccFJV0rGVf4AZQzp2R8jRu8meg2ZsW05CmOMNHQBOuwqm4txd0LCGQ_K2-DM8UEdnO-tn85AgzIQF4=w1127-h845-no

NOTE: The tiny white light (dot) in the center of the rear bumper is the only light that when on when the R1S was backing up.

Rivian R1T R1S R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill. 52pgiGdlLbNpFYr4okN6M4UH9eyQTfnIxjoPo5s0v0VZCRKtMRkRu1at7e4tIbjj19sl11m2TbuhGJHfXQ=w1127-h845-no


Rivian R1T R1S R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill. O3IGz3ErPKsj1yRcFRqNkQLEcj--bP8kfJHFUap7UWzrARhyvT368IKphzn48Ijrl85kzq2e4wEPYiCA8R0=w634-h845-no


Rivian R1T R1S R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill. -8BnPGclJgx40Y5Sa_Q0ZWraOYKo2-jrGdppfdBsOZW53krZaQ3zzvhtUcwrLi7BorK6oNSpdpzVm7R6zI=w1127-h845-no


Rivian R1T R1S R1T, R1S viewing opportunity Oct. 13 in Normal, Ill. fPyPbo40tS2FeoTlFf3ZxLoCNGhOIstuIypWmm763F-V95RedOQhPjaxUtXmBT_5T5evpzG1b9-LkyxhYg=w1127-h845-no

I took a drive over by the factory and drove around the grounds. Needless to say the place is huge.
 

Lil'O Annie

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EyeOnRivian, hummm...don't like hearing that the EAV configurator is being pushed into 2Q of 2020 now, instead of 4Q 2019. :crying: That makes it sound like the actual deliveries will also be pushed out into 2021 instead of the end of 2020.
  • "Online EAV configurator should be online in 2Q 2020"
 

godfodder0901

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EyeOnRivian, hummm...don't like hearing that the EAV configurator is being pushed into 2Q of 2020 now, instead of 4Q 2019. :crying: That makes it sound like the actual deliveries will also be pushed out into 2021 instead of the end of 2020.
  • "Online EAV configurator should be online in 2Q 2020"
Annie,

I made mention of this in my post on the Seattle event. This delay is tied to the fact they are implementing AR into the configurator, not the production schedule of the vehicles.
 

bowhunter

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Annie,

I made mention of this in my post on the Seattle event. This delay is tied to the fact they are implementing AR into the configurator, not the production schedule of the vehicles.
Well whose dumb idea was that?

Their careful thought out approach and diligence is one of the reasons I felt comfortable putting a deposit down on day one having kept my eye on them for some time. This has surprised people who know me, because intending to buy a first-run vehicle from a new manufacturer is not something people expect from me given my studied approach to much less significant purchases. I am not one to buy things because they are shiny and I drive my vehicles into the ground before replacing them. I have yet to tell somebody about my future vehicle who has actually heard of Rivian... We are ambassadors of their brand and product and I don't feel that Rivian is embracing/leveraging their pre-order community as such. I am not saying that they should be communicating every thought and whim they have, but to keep regular meaningful updates flowing directed at their pre-order community (not particularly interested in the 'lifestyle' videos).

Here is an idea: Release a version 1 of a Rivian Mobile app that can gain features as we get closer to production. Initially it could be used primarily as a communication conduit where they can share information, foster discussion, and poll their customer base. A great early feature would be to have augmented reality access to a complete full-scale detailed model of the vehicles so for those of us who have been unable to make it to the various in-person events can inspect every aspect of the vehicle close-up in our own driveways (and of course be able to take pictures/videos with the vehicle ). Eventually as feature configuration is added, we could view the AR hologram with our selected colors and features. I know from some forum comments that there seems to be this worry that working on anything other than production readiness will cause delays, but I think that is a bit of an over-simplistic perspective. That aside, as far as my AR suggestion, I would expect that they already have the 3D models built and can make them available.
 

godfodder0901

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Well whose dumb idea was that?

That aside, as far as my AR suggestion, I would expect that they already have the 3D models built and can make them available.
They do, as they built the entire vehicle in 3D. The issue, however, is translating that into AR. Providing the customized vehicle in AR is no more time consuming than providing the base vehicle in AR. The problem is building the AR platform, support into the app, and testing. So the suggestion of providing a base AR while we wait for the customized AR model doesn't make sense from a feasibility standpoint.
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