Pet Mode for R2 coming in next OTA update 🐾

[Zathras]

It will be nice to know part of what team, though. Rivian consumer vehicles, Amazon, Volkswagen, Uber, Etc

Rivian. Not partners.

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[GaryL]

Does anyone know if you can take a Pet on a test drive?

 

[NitroNick]

Does anyone know if you can take a Pet on a test drive?

I do not believe they allow that.

 

[morph860]

I do not believe they allow that.

Correct. When you get your confirmation e-mail, it says no pets for demo drives.

 

[KBabione]

As discussed at length in another thread, software is hard.

 

[Mos Eisley]

Viagra's new slogan: We make software hard.

 

[iansriv]

I'm honestly surprised Pet Mode isn't available at launch. It seems like such a straightforward feature, so I'm curious what's making it complex enough to require an OTA update? I've never really understood situations like this. What am I missing?

Absolutely agree. If it was on the R1 why wouldn't they include it on the R2.

 

[R1Thrilled]

Absolutely agree. If it was on the R1 why wouldn't they include it on the R2.

Different platform, different HVAC hardware, different greenhouse, different air vents, testing & validation. This is a feature people trust their pets with, would you rather them rush something out that wasn’t thoughtfully implemented and tested across a wide variety of scenarios?

 

[iansriv]

Different platform, different HVAC hardware, different greenhouse, different air vents, testing & validation. This is a feature people trust their pets with, would you rather them rush something out that wasn’t thoughtfully implemented and tested across a wide variety of scenarios?

I am aware of that. It's a very important aspect of the s/w and that is why it should have already been rolled out.

 

[R1Thrilled]

I am aware of that. It's a very important aspect of the s/w and that is why it should have already been rolled out.

I'm not saying this as an attempt to justify it being missing but it is pretty clear that Rivian is spread thin with their software commitments for R2. In the context of the company needing to get the product out ASAP, they likely made the decision to "fix it in post" and release an unfinished product. I understand why they did it this way, it was sort of necessary for their survival as a company.

 

[kanefsky]

Different platform, different HVAC hardware, different greenhouse, different air vents, testing & validation. This is a feature people trust their pets with, would you rather them rush something out that wasn’t thoughtfully implemented and tested across a wide variety of scenarios?

There's a new Out of Spec Reviews video out today specifically on pet mode (in general, not just for Rivian). They mention that many automakers (particularly German ones) won't add it because they are worried about legal liability. So IMHO it's understandable that Rivian wants to be extra careful about testing it thoroughly before enabling it.

It's also totally normal with any software-updatable consumer hardware that the software is still being worked on long after the hardware is finalized and gone into production. They have to plan to mass produce the hardware and start shipping it to dealers well before the software is done. It's almost impossible to synchronize those exactly, and I doubt anyone would want to delay the initial deliveries of the vehicle for pet mode versus adding it via an OTA upgrade shortly thereafter.

 

[reodds]

Just curious, why would you need a specific "pet mode", when all you need to do, is keep the a/c on, at a reasonable temp, for your pets locked in the car?

 

[kanefsky]

Just curious, why would you need a specific "pet mode", when all you need to do, is keep the a/c on, at a reasonable temp, for your pets locked in the car?

One reason is that it's important to have a display that's visible to people outside so they don't think your pet is in danger and try to break into the car to save them.

Also many cars that have the ability to keep the a/c on only allow it for a limited time. You also want the ability to monitor it remotely for peace of mind, and other fail-safes since lives are literally at risk instead of just being a comfort feature.

 

[VSG]

I am aware of that. It's a very important aspect of the s/w and that is why it should have already been rolled out.

Sure, just push it out. Who cares if it hasn't been thoroughly tested - what's the worst that can happen? At least we won't have to listen to complainers on the internet ....

Sheesh, you complain about software quality then you give them shit if they take the time to do it right. In the grand scheme of things, pet mode is a really minor feature, not an essential feature. (Remind me again what percentage of vehicles sold in the US come with a pet mode?) It was far more important to the future of the company to start shipping R2 on time, even if they had to leave out a feature or two. Again in the grand scheme of things, they will have shipped probably <1000 vehicles total to customers by the time the software gets updated. And if those people didn't want to live for a month without pet mode they could have delayed delivery for a month. But I'm guessing no-one did ...

 

[usulio]

Just curious, why would you need a specific "pet mode", when all you need to do, is keep the a/c on, at a reasonable temp, for your pets locked in the car?

Can't speak to R2, but in R1, there is not really any way to "keep the a/c on". If you walk away from the car, it will turn itself off after a few minutes.

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