Rivian’s latest update adds a new onboard AI assistant
▼ Summary
– Rivian’s reputation for advanced vehicle software led to a $5 billion investment from Volkswagen, and its infotainment system lacks Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
– A new AI digital assistant, the Rivian Assistant, has been added in a software update for Gen1 and Gen2 models.
– The assistant is available to owners with a Connect+ subscription or trial, activated via a steering wheel button, display icon, or voice commands “Hey Rivian” or “OK, Rivian.”
– Running in Rivian’s private cloud, the AI deeply integrates with vehicle subsystems, unlike pared-back assistants from Google’s Android Automotive.
– It can control climate, navigation, media, and messaging, reference the owner’s manual, answer questions, and explain or troubleshoot in-car alerts.
Rivian has carved out a strong reputation for its software prowess in the electric vehicle space. The company’s clean-sheet electronic architecture earned it a massive $5 billion investment from Volkswagen Group, and its proprietary infotainment system is widely praised by drivers, even though the automaker has no plans to support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Without phone mirroring and the convenience of using Siri or Google Assistant hands-free, Rivian has now introduced a new AI digital assistant in its latest software update. This feature is available for both older Gen1 Rivians (model-year 2024 and earlier) and the newer Gen2 models.
The Rivian Assistant arrives with software update 2026.15, accessible to all owners who have an active subscription or trial for Connect+, the company’s connectivity service. You can activate it just like most digital assistants, using a button on the steering wheel, tapping an icon on the infotainment display, or saying the trigger phrase “Hey Rivian” or “OK, Rivian.”
Because the assistant operates within Rivian’s private cloud, it enjoys deep integration into the EV’s subsystems. This approach mirrors the capabilities found in BMW and Mercedes-Benz systems, offering more robust functionality than the pared-back AI assistant that Google provides to OEMs using Android Automotive and Google Automotive Services. According to Rivian, the AI can “control vehicle settings, climate control, navigation, media, messaging, and calling.” It can also reference the owner’s manual, answer questions, search for information, explain in-car alerts, and help you troubleshoot problems.
(Source: Ars Technica)