Rivian’s New Hands-Free Driving Covers 3.5M Miles
The electric vehicle brand expands its driver-assist tech beyond highways for the first time.**
Rivian is rolling out a significant over-the-air software update to its second-generation R1 electric vehicles today, debuting a new feature called “Universal Hands-Free” driving. Announced during the company’s recent Autonomy & AI Day, this upgrade represents a major leap forward in Rivian’s driver-assistance capabilities.
Unlike the previous iteration of Rivian’s software, which was limited to 135,000 miles of specific U.S. highways, the new Universal Hands-Free system is designed to work on more than 3.5 million miles of roads across the United States and Canada. The expansion includes not only highways but also surface streets, provided there are visible lane lines to guide the vehicle. This move significantly broadens where Rivian owners can utilize advanced driver-assistance features during their daily commutes and long-distance travel.
How It Works and Key Limitations
While the expansion is impressive, Rivian emphasizes that this remains a Level 2 driver-assistance system, meaning driver supervision is still mandatory. The vehicle will not manage every aspect of the drive. Notably, Universal Hands-Free will not slow down or stop for traffic lights or stop signs. It also lacks the capability to make turns automatically or follow complex navigation routes on its Own.
To handle intersections or turns, the system is designed to disengage hands-free operation. However, Rivian has integrated a seamless re-engagement process: if a driver uses their turn signal to initiate a manual turn, the system reactivates once the vehicle is back in a straight lane. This approach requires the driver to remain actively involved in the kinetic aspects of driving, keeping the system active only during straight-line cruising on mapped roads.
Safety Concerns and Industry Context
This update places Rivian in a competitive and scrutinized lane of the automotive industry. Rivals like Tesla and Ford have faced intense scrutiny, investigations, and legal challenges following accidents involving their respective driver-assist systems, often linked to driver inattention. As Rivian expands its own capabilities, it enters a space where the safety of human-machine interaction remains a paramount concern. The company’s long-term goal is full autonomy, potentially achievable by 2026, but this current update serves as a stepping stone that balances innovation with the reality of current safety standards.
Beyond Autonomy: New Features for R1 Owners
Alongside the driving software overhaul, the update includes features unrelated to the autopilot system. Rivian is introducing an updated digital key capability, allowing second-generation R1 owners to store access credentials in digital wallets on iPhones, Apple Watches, Google Pixels, and Samsung devices. For those with quad-motor variants, the update unlocks the highly anticipated “Kick Turn” feature and “RAD Tuner,” offering highly customizable drive modes that allow drivers to fine-tune the vehicle’s performance dynamics.
The Road Ahead
This software rollout is a pivotal moment for Rivian. By moving from restricted highway-only operation to an expansive network of roads, the company is testing the limits of its current hardware and software while pushing closer to its ultimate goal of “point-to-point” autonomy expected in 2026. The introduction of custom silicon and roof-mounted LiDAR sensors in future models suggests a hardware trajectory that matches the software’s ambition.
For current owners, this update offers a tangible taste of the future—more freedom behind the wheel, delivered with a reminder that the driver’s attention is still the most critical component of the journey. As Rivian continues to develop its autonomy stack, this balance between assistance and supervision will define the user experience until full self-driving becomes a reality.
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