Upcoming Rivian September 2023 software update: Drive Mode and UI Updates

[MountainBikeDude]

I would prefer being able to select it.

They did say they were working on it, but that it was complicated because it was a different type of camera. It does seem to have high resolution.

It's apparently a latency issue with the different camera which needs to meet a certain regulatory threshold to be utilized.

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[neocyn]

That's going to require a change to the laws of physics or an advance in tire composition both of which are out of Rivian's locus of control.

What if conserve mode was RWD?

 

[godfodder0901]

What if conserve mode was RWD?

That would require a hardware change in all quad motor Rivians.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

What if conserve mode was RWD?

That would require an entire redesign as the rear motors are physically disconnected during conserve mode. Regardless, then you would just wear the rear tires instead of the front ones. The fact is the R1 series has 835HP and 900ftlbs of torque and weighs 7k lbs is just going to wear tires. Especially the shitty Pirellis.

 

[CharonPDX]

That would require an entire redesign as the rear motors are physically disconnected during conserve mode. Regardless, then you would just wear the rear tires instead of the front ones. The fact is the R1 series has 835HP and 900ftlbs of torque and weighs 7k lbs is just going to wear tires. Especially the shitty Pirellis.

Yep. The rear motors have a physical disconnect, the front motors don't. The front motors are ALWAYS connected to the wheels. So there is no way for the quad to be RWD solely from software. "Neutral" is really just "allow the motors to spin at the same rate as the wheels are spinning." Only the rear motors have the ability to actually be in neutral/disconnected.

Dual-motor is similar - the rear motor has a disconnect, the front motor is permanently-connected. Conserve mode (or "light power use" on dual-motor) can only possibly disconnect the rear wheels.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I mean, this poll means next to nothing. But sure.

I would say it's a collection of both fanboys and critical users, so the results do paint an obvious picture that the changes were an improvement in 94% of people's eyes, or butts.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

@s4wrxttcs as a bed camera hack, I've on occasion cranked the angle of my rearview mirror such that I can see the reflection of the items in the bed through their reflection in the pano roof glass ?

 

[zefram47]

Since we are guessing, here's mine . They bring the automatic switch from AWD to FWD that the dual motor all-purpose does to the Quads to increase the HWY range!

What if conserve mode was RWD?

In response to both of these...the rear motors have a mechanical disconnect that is essentially a dog-clutch. It's a very different mechanism than what the dual-motor R1s have where an electromagnetic clutch engages a ring gear. You're never going to see an automatic mode that engages/disengages the rear motors on the Bosch-based rear drive units, as-is. If/when the quad-motor drive units switch to the enduro motors, then I'm sure we'll see this change.

As for Conserve mode being RWD, the way RJ explained it during an interview with Sandy Munro was that they are traction-limited on the front axles due to physics (weight shifts to the rear under acceleration). As a result, Rivian geared the front motors taller (spin slower and produce less torque). That means that the front motors are better suited to higher speed travel than the shorter-geared rear motors, hence why they put the axle disconnect on the rear.

 

[Mooeymoose]

I would like to see garage doors show up around home without having to hit the garage button. So, you reduce the need for one extra tap.

 

[SANZC02]

I would like to see garage doors show up around home without having to hit the garage button. So, you reduce the need for one extra tap.

That was in the 2023.30 update. Check the owners manual to configure it. You can open with the right steering wheel button Once configured.

 

[strykerwsu]

My consistent wish list has been unchanged for a while now:
1. blind spot cams;
2. infotainment apps;
3. text messaging UI.

This the way

 

[pc500]

It would be nice if they had tow dolley mode even if I can't flat tow it.

Yep. The rear motors have a physical disconnect, the front motors don't. The front motors are ALWAYS connected to the wheels. So there is no way for the quad to be RWD solely from software. "Neutral" is really just "allow the motors to spin at the same rate as the wheels are spinning." Only the rear motors have the ability to actually be in neutral/disconnected.

Dual-motor is similar - the rear motor has a disconnect, the front motor is permanently-connected. Conserve mode (or "light power use" on dual-motor) can only possibly disconnect the rear wheels.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Hey RJ, you better bring back our Halloween stuff.

 

[drivetorun]

My consistent wish list has been unchanged for a while now:
1. blind spot cams;
2. infotainment apps;
3. text messaging UI.

I agree with blind spot cameras. My other top 2 are being able to set a different liftgate height (I’ve got a low clearance garage and it’s an accident waiting to happen) and more settings tied to driver profile (drive mode preferences, music presets, etc.).

 

[Supratachophobia]

Ugh, I hope they don't get into a habit of consistent UI upgrades just for the sake of change. Improvement is great, change for the sake of change like we see with so many apps/computers/phones, etc - not so much.

You mean the persistent map eating up resources in the background on the Tesla screens was a bad idea, especially for early hardware owners??? I do declare!

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