Tesla rival Rivian launches hands-free driving for R1 EVs
What's the story
Rivian, the American electric vehicle manufacturer rivaling Tesla, has announced a major software update for its second-generation R1 EVs. The update introduces a new feature called "Universal Hands-Free" driving. The company first unveiled this innovative technology at its inaugural "Autonomy & AI Day" event last week.
Feature details
Universal hands-free driving: A game changer for EVs
The Universal Hands-Free feature allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel on over 3.5 million miles of roads across the US and Canada. This includes a combination of highways and surface streets, as long as there are visible lane lines. However, it's important to note that drivers will still have to supervise this advanced driving system.
Operational constraints
Limitations of the universal hands-free feature
The new driving software won't stop or slow down for traffic lights or stop signs. It also won't make turns or follow navigation instructions. However, Rivian has said that the software will re-engage if a driver uses their turn signal and manually handles the turn. This is an important safety measure considering similar systems from Tesla and Ford have been involved in crashes due to driver inattention.
Autonomy goals
Rivian's future plans for full autonomy
The software update significantly expands the driver assistance capabilities of Rivian vehicles. Before this, the hands-free driving system only worked on 135,000 miles of highways. However, Rivian has plans to make its vehicles fully autonomous in the coming years. At last week's event, they detailed plans for point-to-point self-driving capabilities, which are expected to be available by 2026.
Tech developments
Rivian's tech advancements for future EVs
Rivian is also working on a new autonomy computer with custom silicon for its upcoming R2 SUV, which will debut in 2026. The company plans to combine this with a roof-mounted lidar sensor to make their vehicles fully autonomous in the future.