Electric Cars

Rivian has rolled out a new software update, version 2025.34, for its R1T pickup trucks and R1S SUVs, introducing a range of exciting new features. This update includes improvements to hands-free driving capabilities, an enhanced audio experience, and a smarter charging function designed to reduce electricity costs. However, a significant portion of these advanced features, particularly those related to driving assistance and audio, are only accessible to second-generation (Gen 2) Rivian models. This limitation stems from hardware incompatibilities in older, first-generation (Gen 1) vehicles, leading to disappointment among early adopters who feel their cars are being phased out of future technological advancements.

The latest software update from Rivian, designated as version 2025.34, introduces a crucial cost-saving feature for all R1T and R1S owners, regardless of their vehicle's generation. This innovative 'Schedule Recommendation' function enables Rivian vehicles to automatically schedule charging sessions during off-peak electricity hours at home. By shifting charging times to periods when electricity rates are lower, Rivian estimates that owners could reduce their annual charging expenses by up to 20%, potentially saving up to $900 each year. This benefit is particularly significant given that over 70% of current home charging sessions by Rivian owners occur during peak hours. Beyond individual savings, this intelligent charging strategy also contributes to a more stable power grid and increases the utilization of clean energy sources by more than 10%.

However, the update brings a more advanced set of features exclusively for Gen 2 Rivian models (2025 model year and newer). These include enhancements to the Highway Assist feature, now incorporating 'Co-Steer,' which allows drivers to subtly adjust their lane position without disengaging the system. This provides greater flexibility, such as moving further away from a large truck during an overtake. Additionally, the availability of Enhanced Highway Assist, offering prolonged hands-free driving, has expanded by over 50%. Rivian also boasts an improved in-house perception system in Gen 2 vehicles, leading to better environmental assessment and more precise lane centering, even on challenging curves.

For audio enthusiasts, Gen 2 models receive a significant upgrade to their sound systems. The existing six equalizer profiles can now be customized, and two new user-definable slots have been added. This allows for a more personalized listening experience, especially useful for drivers with specific audio preferences that differ from other users of the same vehicle. Furthermore, the low-frequency response and sound stage in Gen 2 models have been refined, promising tighter bass control and a richer sense of spatial separation within the audio output. These exclusive enhancements highlight the hardware differences between the two generations, making it challenging to port all features to older models.

The software update also addresses a variety of smaller fixes and improvements that generally apply to both Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles. These include enhanced navigation stability and responsiveness, a correction for fluctuating trip energy and efficiency data, more accurate battery range estimations upon arrival, and a reduction in excessive blower noise from the climate control system during mild conditions. Better detection for 12V battery health has also been implemented. While these minor improvements benefit all owners, the disparity in major feature updates has sparked discontent among Gen 1 owners, some of whom express feeling 'abandoned' by the manufacturer, drawing parallels to how older smartphone models eventually lose access to the latest software. This situation underscores the evolving landscape of software-defined vehicles, where hardware can dictate the longevity of feature support.

This latest software rollout from Rivian has created a clear distinction between its older and newer vehicle models. While all Rivian owners can enjoy the benefits of the new cost-saving smart charging function, which helps optimize electricity consumption, the more advanced capabilities like enhanced hands-free driving and superior audio quality are reserved for second-generation vehicles. This strategic divergence is attributed to the differing hardware architectures between generations, a common challenge in the rapidly evolving automotive technology sector. The company's focus on continuously improving its product, even if it means leaving some earlier models behind in terms of cutting-edge features, reflects the ongoing dynamic of innovation and generational upgrades in the electric vehicle market.

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