Alexa Functionality

[RivAW]

Our Alexa is not working anymore either. We used to use it to play Audible books on our drive to school, but it hasn’t worked since the last update. Now Alexa doesn’t work at all. I asked about it when it was in for service and was told it now requires a subscription. Surely Rivian wouldn’t take away functionality that used to work just fine and now charge their existing customers for it? Would be grateful if someone has a solution.

That’s exactly what they did and it was well publicized from the start….consumers should pay attention and manage expectations.
Now, if you pay for Connect + and it’s still doesn’t work, thays a CS issue

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[RivAW]

It's almost like they could just add CarPlay at no cost and instantly inherit a very reliable voice system.

Now pass the popcorn.

You can buy a 3rd party CarPlay system from EV Sportsline if it’s that important and you don’t mind adding another screen…it seems to get good reviews

 

[DayTripping]

I'd love for Alexa to at least get the basics right (which it doesn't). I'd love to be able to select drive modes through Alex. While I can't do that with my Tesla, I can adjust suspension height. This is really handy on my S when I need to raise it for dips in some areas. After the first time, it can remember and auto raise so I don't plow the chin spoiler into it.

On the Rivian I'd love to be able to do the same and go between AP and Conserve modes without fumbling through the menu. Or allow me to groups settings as a favorite. Similar to what we can do with the AC now.

You can buy a 3rd party CarPlay system from EV Sportsline if it’s that important and you don’t mind adding another screen…it seems to get good reviews

I've thought about that, but the downside is that the resolution isn't that great. When they come out with a higher res version, I might be interested. At the same time I really don't want another screen in the truck but I'd consider it if had to. I absolutely miss Waze.

 

[SwampNut]

You can buy a 3rd party CarPlay system from EV Sportsline if it’s that important and you don’t mind adding another screen…it seems to get good reviews

That unit is quite awful, but I added another one that’s great. There's a thread about it here.

 

[CaptRat]

I went out this morning to see if I could get Alexa to behave a little better. Spoiler alert: I couldn't.

I subscribe to C+, Spotify, TuneIn and Apple Music. All three apps function normally when manually selected and I'm logged in to my Alexa account.

Alexa and Spotify: she says I need to install the Spotify app or upgrade the app. There aren't any upgrades available and it's already installed.

Alexa and TuneIn: I asked Alexa to play 10 different stations that were visible on the TuneIn screen. With the exception of one radio station, which she switched to and played (???,) her response was that "TuneIn is not available on this device." Why she played the one station, asked for in the middle of the list, I have no idea.

Alexa and Apple Music: "Apple Music is not available on this device."

This was all at home on wifi. So I disconnected wifi, did a hard reset and screen reset, reconnected wifi.....and no change.

I can't help but feel there's a simple solution to this problem. I just wish Rivian would advise us as to what it is or FIX IT!

Oh, and give us a complete list of vehicle commands that Alexa recognizes or at least the key words that she'll understand. Not just the "You can ask Alexa to perform a variety of commands, including the following" found in the manual.

Ticket submitted. For me, it's the worst feature of the truck: Screens that I have to take my eyes off the road to manually do simple things when voice control should handle it all.

 

[gregeast]

Exact same issues for us. We have a Connect+ subscription and a Spotify subscription. Alexa has worked to control Spotify in the past. Each vehicle update seems to require an infotainment reset to get her to work again but after this most recent update it still isn't working after multiple hard and soft resets.

Just keep getting the dreaded "...need to install the Spotify app or upgrade the app"

Guess I'll open a ticket as well, if for no other reason than to be annoying.

 

[gregeast]

Just chatted with Rivian CS, apparently they recognize this as a known issue and are saying it will be addressed in the next OTA update, due mid-January 2025.

Fingers crossed!

 

[Captain JB]

I have had Alexa work about 5 days in one year of ownership…worthless. NOTHING compares to Apple Car play and its consistent and safety abilities. YES, I said that!! )))

 

[schlosrat]

Just chatted with Rivian CS, apparently they recognize this as a known issue and are saying it will be addressed in the next OTA update, due mid-January 2025.

Fingers crossed!

The Spotify fix would be nice - I hope we see that one soon. What I think is more important would be a navigation fix. With internet access, either via C+ or via phone hotspot, we should be able to say "Alexa, navigate to XYZ" and it should just work. Maybe this will come with the Spotify fix.

Of course, there is a presumably separate issue that Rivian's nav can be hit or miss...

If I type in my stepdaughter's address Rivian's nav can't find it at all and wants to send me to other states. If I drive to her place I can see her house with her street and house number on the map right next to my blue dot. What on earth have they screwed up where the map knows a location/address and can display it, but you can't select it or navigate to it?

I don't expect this part to be fixed as part of an Aleax fix - I'm just hoping that Alexa will correctly pass through the request so that we don't have to divert our eyes from the road and type it in.

 

[Johnus]

Alexa, fart. Works every time.

 

[godfodder0901]

The Spotify fix would be nice - I hope we see that one soon. What I think is more important would be a navigation fix. With internet access, either via C+ or via phone hotspot, we should be able to say "Alexa, navigate to XYZ" and it should just work. Maybe this will come with the Spotify fix.

Of course, there is a presumably separate issue that Rivian's nav can be hit or miss...

If I type in my stepdaughter's address Rivian's nav can't find it at all and wants to send me to other states. If I drive to her place I can see her house with her street and house number on the map right next to my blue dot. What on earth have they screwed up where the map knows a location/address and can display it, but you can't select it or navigate to it?

I don't expect this part to be fixed as part of an Aleax fix - I'm just hoping that Alexa will correctly pass through the request so that we don't have to divert our eyes from the road and type it in.

Navigating to a specific location by voice is already a feature, and works great for me. ?

And POI/location search uses Google, so it's wierd that it doesn't show up. Does it exist in Google maps? Meaning, is her house really new?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

They should develop their own voice assistant (off of Alex) and make it respond to “Rivian” or whatever you named your vehicle.

 

[Johnus]

They should develop their own voice assistant (off of Alex) and make it respond to “Rivian” or whatever you named your vehicle.

Per the 2025 software road map, they're working on one. I'm really hoping they are able to get a better voice, too. Something uniquely "Rivian". ElevenLabs, OpenAI, many others have some great TTS engines they could license.

 

[schlosrat]

And POI/location search uses Google, so it's wierd that it doesn't show up. Does it exist in Google maps? Meaning, is her house really new?

Her house is definitely not new construction. Zillow says it was built in 1978. Both Google and Apple Maps can easily find it, but if you try any method (Alexa or typing it in manually) for Rivian's nav, well, you'll just get sent on a multi-state wild goose chase.

 

[blcklab666]

Just chatted with Rivian CS, apparently they recognize this as a known issue and are saying it will be addressed in the next OTA update, due mid-January 2025.

Fingers crossed!

Are you referring to the Spotify/Alexa "you'll need to download or update the app" issue? Hope so

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