Autonomy+ / Driver+ / Universal Hands-free comparison test on Gen 1 vs. Gen 2

[carsly]

The stars aligned and I had a 2024 Rivian R1T Dual Max as a loaner so I figured I'd record a back-to-back comparison test of Autonomy+ / Driver+ on the same day and stretch of road as I drove that Gen 1 R1T to the service center and then picked up and drove home in my 2025 R1S Dual Large. Gen 1 vs. Gen 2. Here's what I found out:

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[carsly]

I should have noted that if. you're curious about how this would function with R2, I'd say pay more attention to the Gen 2 part of the video since it's likely to be highly similar, if not the same, until (1) the Gen 3 R2's with LiDAR come out, (2) those R2's cover a lot of miles and (3) Rivian crunches the LiDAR data to update it's algorithms and models.

Long story short, I think it's going to be a while before R2 LiDAR vehicles show improved performance over Gen 2 R1's on autonomous driving tests. Maybe 2028 or 2029.

 

[DuoRivian]

I should have noted that if. you're curious about how this would function with R2, I'd say pay more attention to the Gen 2 part of the video since it's likely to be highly similar, if not the same, until (1) the Gen 3 R2's with LiDAR come out, (2) those R2's cover a lot of miles and (3) Rivian crunches the LiDAR data to update it's algorithms and models.

Long story short, I think it's going to be a while before R2 LiDAR vehicles show improved performance over Gen 2 R1's on autonomous driving tests. Maybe 2028 or 2029.

Agree the version 3 of ADAS (only thing that changes on the R2 between 2026 and 2027) will not see much difference through to 2028 or 2029 since RJ said in recent interviews that L4 will be late 2020s or into the 2030s.

 

[zamazenta]

You didn't try the lane changes on gen 2, which doesn't exist at all on gen 1. Also, Gen 1 has no paid autonomy option, it is included by default. Gen 2 has the same basic features free, even without paying.

 

[carsly]

You didn't try the lane changes on gen 2, which doesn't exist at all on gen 1. Also, Gen 1 has no paid autonomy option, it is included by default. Gen 2 has the same basic features free, even without paying.

lane changes, in my book, aren't impressive or useful unless the vehicle is triggering those actions on its own. If I have to trigger a lane change, then I'm driving - not the vehicle.

 

[zamazenta]

lane changes, in my book, aren't impressive or useful unless the vehicle is triggering those actions on its own. If I have to trigger a lane change, then I'm driving - not the vehicle.

Still worth mentioning, given all the other mistakes you made.

 

[carsly]

Still worth mentioning, given all the other mistakes you made.

Thank you for that. It wouldn't be the Internet without someone pointing out my inadvertent errors or omissions without substantiation. I don't claim to be perfect, but I am trying to share what I've learned and what I've found with the community. YMMV

 

[slillie]

lane changes, in my book, aren't impressive or useful unless the vehicle is triggering those actions on its own. If I have to trigger a lane change, then I'm driving - not the vehicle.

I use auto lane change all the time.

 

[carsly]

I use auto lane change all the time.

How do you find it works? Is it reducing your cognitive load while driving or are you still having to check your mirrors and closely monitor the maneuver? Would be great to get some feedback from someone using the feature regularly. TIA

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