Need confirmation of 3rd party internet connectivity

[getut]

Can anyone with a Rivian please do some testing for me to confirm something? I need to know if Rivian is punitively blocking streaming or any other add on service if you don't use connect+. Their stated reason for connect+ is that their default bandwidth allotment for the free version is not sufficient for high bandwidth services like streaming and satellite maps view. But here is how the test would have to be performed. Connect the vehicle to a 3rd party wifi, but it would need to be a fully open wifi, not typical public wifi to fully test this. Most public wifi sets a feature that hides all the wifi clients from each other, this is typically called client isolation. We need a home user wifi or at least a user controlled wifi hotspot, most phone hotspots also have client isolation turned on by default, so those will also not work for this test.

Needed to test:
1) wifi hotspot confirmed to not have client isolation turned on
2) somewhere where there is zero signal to the cars built in cellular connectivity
3) Vehicle that does not have connect+ enabled

Once those criteria are met if anyone can do it, can someone test streaming and other features to see what Rivian has artificially crippled just to force people to buy connect+ and keep the data going through them?

Edit: to explain more, the streaming feature relies on casting meaning that the devices have to see each other. So even if it would otherwise work, casting cannot work on any wifi network that has client isolation on it.
Also, any other connectivity testing you can do in this mode would be greatly appreciated. It would be good to find out what features Rivian punitively disables just to force that data through their hands and to create a forever and ever amen revenue stream by that punitive lockdown. Most EV's have something similar but some are much less punitive on it than others and the findings from this will help me with my decision as well as help others.

Also as a note for any fanboys who get irritated with this request. People who are open and honest look at pros and cons of vehicles. Every vehicle has both. Even if this shines bad on Rivian once we know results, what does that hurt other than giving information to help people decide or POSSIBLY even would put pressure on Rivian to make it better? So please, hold snarky comments because someone is even remotely probing at a potential con of owning a Rivian.

Sponsored

 

[Nixapatfan]

Move on, Rivian does put some capabilities behind a paywall while some things do work with Wi-Fi. Most new capabilities are going behind the paywall, C+ is not expensive and if you find yourself using the data enabled parts often it is worth it.

I personally do not use all those things enough to pay for C+, just stream audio from phone.

 

[jrmbadger]

For current R1S vehicles, you can buy an EVPLAY - looks like that enables streaming without Connect+ EV play Also enables Android Auto and Apple Carplay for those that like that. Not sure if there will be R2 support, but I would guess there would be.

 

[getut]

Move on, Rivian does put some capabilities behind a paywall while some things do work with Wi-Fi. Most new capabilities are going behind the paywall, C+ is not expensive and if you find yourself using the data enabled parts often it is worth it.

I personally do not use all those things enough to pay for C+, just stream audio from phone.

Actually my plan is to completely disconnect the built in connectivity completely. Not just connect plus. I am hoping to find out what features go away entirely. Like does gear guard still work locally without giving Rivian access to cameras on the vehicle, does nav still work at all through the wifi if you block telemetry going back to Rivian. In GM EV's I already know the answer. The google maps will continue to function even if you block GM and onstar and I want to compare this against Rivian. No company is worthy of trust and all owners should be able to control access to the things they own.

 

[NY_Rob]

Will the outcome of the test be the deciding factor in your decision to purchase a Rivian?

Since you're still in the shopping phase... if the above is very important to you, possibly consider an alternate vehicle that offers AA/CP so your data will be passing through your phone, not the vehicle's system.

 

[tmbm50]

Actually my plan is to completely disconnect the built in connectivity completely. Not just connect plus. I am hoping to find out what features go away entirely. Like does gear guard still work locally without giving Rivian access to cameras on the vehicle, does nav still work at all through the wifi if you block telemetry going back to Rivian. In GM EV's I already know the answer. The google maps will continue to function even if you block GM and onstar and I want to compare this against Rivian. No company is worthy of trust and all owners should be able to control access to the things they own.

Your gonna rip off the antenna for the cell module? Updates are also flagged thru the cell module.
Sounds like a digital first vehicle like Rivian should not be on your list.

 

[smashweights]

We need a home user wifi or at least a user controlled wifi hotspot, most phone hotspots also have client isolation turned on by default, so those will also not work for this test.

Needed to test:
1) wifi hotspot confirmed to not have client isolation turned on
2) somewhere where there is zero signal to the cars built in cellular connectivity
3) Vehicle that does not have connect+ enabled

You want someone with a Rivian without connect+ to drive somewhere that has no AT&T service and somehow connect to open WiFi that is NOT their cellphone WiFi hotspot?

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

You want someone with a Rivian without connect+ to drive somewhere that has no AT&T service and somehow connect to open WiFi that is NOT their cellphone WiFi hotspot?

Came here to say this. Where's someone supposed to drive that is so remote that their truck does not get a cellular signal, but they still have WiFi that works to connect to the truck?

Are we talking a house in the middle of nowhere, or something? Geeze.

 

[Dark-Fx]

You must love Flock.

 

[azbill]

Came here to say this. Where's someone supposed to drive that is so remote that their truck does not get a cellular signal, but they still have WiFi that works to connect to the truck?

Are we talking a house in the middle of nowhere, or something? Geeze.

https://starlink.com/

Some have laready conencted to it.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

https://starlink.com/

That was implied. Am familiar with the service. My point was more that this is a somewhat absurd request, not a question about "what services are available in the middle of nowhere". But thanks.

 

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

If I were you, I would have done my own research, by renting a Rivian. Then you can do exactly what you’d like, then post your findings.

I might be wrong, but to me, Rivian’s goal is to have a fully connected vehicle. You, like others, want the least connectivity, and that is obviously your choice. I think a Riv is not for you.

 

[SSteveEV]

Came here to say this. Where's someone supposed to drive that is so remote that their truck does not get a cellular signal, but they still have WiFi that works to connect to the truck?

Are we talking a house in the middle of nowhere, or something? Geeze.

I also thought that was a comically big ask. Then I realized I'm pretty much already parked in that spot at the below ground garage at my office.
But better off just figuring out how to disconnect the fuse for the 4g.

 

[getut]

If I were you, I would have done my own research, by renting a Rivian. Then you can do exactly what you’d like, then post your findings.

I might be wrong, but to me, Rivian’s goal is to have a fully connected vehicle. You, like others, want the least connectivity, and that is obviously your choice. I think a Riv is not for you.

I want as much connectivity as possible that does not have to pass through the manufacturer’s hands.


I am not a luddite. I work in IT, specifically in security, and that is exactly why this matters to me, and it should matter to everyone. In nearly every other serious security context, people who understand security recognize that zero trust is the correct direction. Buying a product should not permanently tie you to the manufacturer’s infrastructure forever.


An owner should be able to lock out the manufacturer by default unless there is a specific, documented reason to allow access, such as a pending software update, remote diagnostics, or a requested service session. Even then, that access should be temporary, limited, and under the owner’s control. The vehicle should not be forced online all the time in a way that gives anyone other than the owner ongoing access.


Unless people complain loudly enough, this will continue to get worse. GM is a good example of why blind trust is not acceptable. They have now been caught more than once selling or sharing connected-vehicle data in ways many owners did not meaningfully understand or consent to.


Trust in manufacturers should not be a requirement for owning and using a vehicle. A device you paid for should not become crippled or useless just because you decide to lock it down and keep the manufacturer out. I am not saying the manufacturer should never have access. I am saying access should happen only when the owner chooses, only for a clearly documented purpose, and only for as long as that purpose requires and it isn't even fully for Rivian themselves directly as a company. Every employee they have is a potential security risk that can compromise your security in ways that never even get imagined, from tracking you via GPS and using that information to harass or intimidate or working with criminals for robbery to see when you are home are away to larger risks like state actors gaining control of entire fleets of EV's to do infrastructure damage.

 

[NY_Rob]

You two know each other?

I'm cross shopping a few brands and wanted to know if there's a way to split the audio/microphone signal to an external port? I want to hook an external music/microphone source into the vehicle and bypass the infotainment completely. I don't plan to use the center console for anything outside of the main cabin controls (HVAC).

Sponsored