Rivian is deepening the software identity of its vehicles
Rivian has added a new in-car AI assistant to its latest software update, extending the feature across both Gen1 and Gen2 vehicles for owners with a Connect+ subscription or trial. The rollout underscores how aggressively the electric vehicle maker continues to treat software as a core product layer rather than a supporting feature.
The assistant can be triggered by a steering-wheel button, an infotainment icon or wake phrases including “Hey Rivian” and “OK, Rivian.” According to the company’s reported feature list, it can control climate, navigation, media, messaging, calling and vehicle settings, answer questions, reference the owner’s manual and explain alerts or help troubleshoot problems.
A replacement for missing phone mirroring
The update matters partly because Rivian has chosen not to support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. That decision has long made the company an outlier in a market where many drivers expect their phone’s voice assistant and app ecosystem to follow them into the dashboard. By adding its own AI helper, Rivian is trying to fill that gap with a more deeply integrated system rather than conceding the interface to Apple or Google.
This is a different strategic bet from simply reproducing smartphone functions on a bigger screen. Rivian is arguing that a native assistant connected directly to vehicle systems can do more useful work because it is built around the car itself, not just around the phone.
