Rivian joins the hands-free highway driving party
Source: The Verge
It was a notable announcement, considering the company has lagged behind its competitors in introducing partially automated driving features similar to Tesla’s Autopilot and General Motors’ Super Cruise.
The update enables drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel on “compatible highways,” covering 135,000 miles of road in the US and Canada. The company says its planning for a “significant” expansion in 2026, including “off-highway roads.”
Rivian said that the new Enhanced Highway Assist feature controls “steering, acceleration, and braking to make driving a less stressful and more comfortable experience—so you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.” Drivers will need to keep their eyes on the road while using the new hands-free system. An infrared camera embedded in the rearview mirror will track eye movements and monitor driver attention. If the driver’s gaze strays from the road too long, the system will issue a series of warnings before disengaging.
Rivian plans on upgrading its driver assist system further next year with the addition of a hands-off, eyes-off feature. In certain situations, such as low-speed stop-and-go traffic, drivers would not need to pay attention to the road. This type of driving, which is called Level 3 automation, is still very rare in the auto world, with most companies’ plans constrained by local regulations and liability concerns. Some experts have argued that Level 3 systems can be dangerous given the need for drivers to stay attentive despite the vehicle performing most of the driving tasks.
Like other automakers, Rivian sees partial automation more as a convenience feature than explicitly about safety. To be sure, drivers are adept at skirting the rules that govern driver-assist systems, according to a recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. And when a car is traveling at much higher speeds than before, all it takes is a split second for something to go wrong.
Rivian also announced a new Rally drive mode for dual-motor vehicles. The mode is available when Off-Road Mode is selected and “delivers heightened throttle response and crisper steering on almost any terrain, including ice, mud, dirt, or asphalt,” the company says.
Also for dual-motor Rivian owners, the company is offering an over-the-air performance update for a one-time fee of $5,000. “The Performance Upgrade unlocks 665 horsepower and 829 lb.-ft. of torque, and introduces three new drive modes—Sport, Rally and Soft Sand—in addition to All-Purpose, All-Terrain, and Snow modes,” the company says.
Rivian included a number of lifestyle fixes as part of the update, such as making it easier to swap wheel sizes, sideview mirrors that automatically tilt down when parallel parking, and the ability to close the charge port door from the mobile app.
