What’s Coming in 2026.15 Update, Including Rivian Assistant

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

If there is no Alexa integration anymore, then I will lose the ability to stream from my personal Plex server and a few other Alexa-specific things like control over which voice is used, but those aren't vehicle features, they are Alexa features. Hopefully RA has a bridge we can use like "Hey Rivian, ask Alexa to ..." That would be trivial to provide I think (I have programmed Alexa integrations before, so this statement is based on experience).

I had Alexa set up to do things like automatically turn on camera view when I got close to my home or work, but that stopped working a while ago. No idea why (never got around to troubleshooting).

Guess it's a good thing I never set her up to stream from my personal Plex server. Tbh, I forgot she could do that. But I'll go to my grave missing Plex app on Android Auto. And also Teams. Give me Microsoft Teams, Rivian.

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[captainjp]

I'm just hoping my car becomes sentient and tries to kill me.

 

[Mellowyellow]

I'm just hoping my car becomes sentient and tries to kill me.

You should get a dodge viper

 

[RivianTrackr]

I think it's reasonable to assume the following:

• Rivian Assistant functions that require connection to the broader internet AND interaction with existing C+ only features—likely will require C+ subscription.
• Rivian Assistant functions that do not involve the above, and to do with control over native vehicle-side functions, or paired phone—do not require C+ subscription.
• What is in release notes, probably meant: to get full RA functions, C+ subscription is required

What is not reasonable: Getting all worked up over speculation. Breathe. It's Friday. And unlike me, you probably haven't just been asked to work the whole weekend after pulling a few all-nighters with zero overtime pay. All-nighters, past age of 50, are not fun.

I've asked and a "lite" version of Rivian Assistant is in the works that will include messaging. Unknown when that will launch but it won't require Connect+

 

[BigSkies]

I'm just hoping my car becomes sentient and tries to kill me.

This is why I named my Tesla Hal 9000.

It's a very smart, AI powered piece of technology that has a non-zero chance of trying to kill me.

 

[KRIV_ian]

I've asked and a "lite" version of Rivian Assistant is in the works that will include messaging. Unknown when that will launch but it won't require Connect+

That's good to hear but it's still lacking in messaging features that I'd like to see such as group messaging and What's App.

 

[2kwik4u]

This is my hope. I’ve turned Alexa off completely because (to me) it’s that bad.

Same, well sort of......Mine has been off since purchase because I think the premise of an audio based assistant is absurd.......but I think I'm learning I just don't like "smart" things in general.

 

[RivianTrackr]

That's good to hear but it's still lacking in messaging features that I'd like to see such as group messaging and What's App.

I keep being told (not sure how accurate) that Bluetooth is the limitation for group messaging.

 

[VandalSibs]

That's good to hear but it's still lacking in messaging features that I'd like to see such as group messaging and What's App.

Literally, how can you know that? Right now we don't know exactly what messaging capabilities normal Rivian Assistant will have, and now you are speculating on something that we didn't have any idea about until five minutes ago?

I keep being told (not sure how accurate) that Bluetooth is the limitation for group messaging.

That sounds logical - I remember that I was able to receive messages sent to groups in my Tesla (which did text messages via Bluetooth), but sending to a group message chain never worked (at least up until I got rid of mine in 2024). It would send to the person that had sent the previous incoming message.

 

[Zoidz]

I have Connect+ and have not gotten the update yet!!!!!!

I just wanted to be the first one to say it

 

[godfodder0901]

Tim-in-CA said:
So pretty much nothing if you’re Gen 1 and not subscribed to C+ … RivAss is yet another data collection service, this should be free to use as Rivian benefits
Rivian Assistant is coming to both Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1S and R1T.

He knows. He was complaining about it being behind the Connect+ paywall.

 

[godfodder0901]

So pretty much nothing if you’re Gen 1 and not subscribed to C+ … RivAss is yet another data collection service, this should be free to use as Rivian benefits

Why would it be free? AI services cost money. Alexa+ isn't free, Grok, Anthropic, OpenAI, and everyone else charges as well.

 

[Tim-in-CA]

Why would it be free? AI services cost money. Alexa+ isn't free, Grok, Anthropic, OpenAI, and everyone else charges as well.

It looks like there will be a free "Lite" version coming per Jose. I suppose we'll have to see how defeatured it ends up being.

 

[LivingInKaos]

I have Connect+ and have not gotten the update yet!!!!!!

I just wanted to be the first one to say it

That's ok, I pay for connect+ and I'm still on 2026.03....

 

[VSG]

I think the premise of an audio based assistant is absurd

Your position on this matter is absurd.

Being able to control things by voice in addition is not only a safety feature, but also an accessibility requirement and a huge convenience - unless of course you refuse to use it.

The current limitations on what Rivian allows Alexa to do are a little absurd, but voice control is really a necessity at this point in time. And good engineering practice as well, to hide complexity behind a natural language interface for use when operating the vehicle.

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