R2 w/ LiDAR, 19-inch wheels spied

[emroch]

It was said in the Reddit post that tow hooks were now an option but I didn’t see it online

The tow hitch is an available option (the tow package), but the standard does not get the front tow hooks.

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[rodhx]

It could also very likely be a test mule so config clues are irrelevant.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

It was said in the Reddit post that tow hooks were now an option but I didn’t see it online

Cool. Maybe on the AWD?

 

[s4wrxttcs]

I'm going to wait for the next-gen simply because it's the next-gen.

I do find it ridiculous that there is even a next-gen as they should be keeping a lid on that and waiting till they actually accomplish something with it before it even gets green lit for manufacturing.

Instead what they did is tease us with it but without any specific claim on what we'd actually get for the additional cost and wait time.

It's going to lead people to holding out for something that inevitably will go no where. We will never have autonomous vehicles that we can buy. It's just not going to happen until I've already crocked and died.

On the plus side to those who don't hold out they can laugh when they announce the new new next-gen after I take delivery of the R2 with Lidar.

 

[savethemanual]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but this looks like the R2 Premium with LiDar and 19” wheels. I didn’t think you could spec the Premium with 19” wheels, at least not on the website.

The reason why I say it’s a Premium and not a Standard or Performance is because it has the tow hooks (unlike the Standard), but no Compass Yellow brake calipers (at least not that I can see).

I really like how well integrated the LiDar bump is. It’s barely noticeable. What do you guys think?

Since LiDAR isn't available yet and they're out there validating everything, the pics shown are probably just test mules and not actual production spec vehicles.

 

[mdpa]

All of the "dozens" of unsupervised Tesla robotaxis use much higher quality maps for the geofenced regions, manually marked and curated based on driving data. Everything else is supervised, and supervising is driving. It's just an assist, nothing game changing as evidenced by its lack of popularity. You either have a cab that drives for you and you don't need to pay attention, or a good driver assist system and no driver assistance is going to transform the way we travel.

This is not accurate. The current version of Tesla FSD is already transformative. Most people have just not experienced it yet. Our personal use case is over 80% FSD in the real world and the number 1 reason for my hesitation about the R2.

 

[Mos Eisley]

The tow hitch is an available option (the tow package), but the standard does not get the front tow hooks.

Not currently- but the person that posted on reddit saying that AWD drive now available as an option also said the tow hooks were also listed as an option. Might have been wrong, might have been up then removed. Dunno. Clearly though, that pic shows a Rivian with Lidar and sporting 19"s FWIW.

 

[mdpa]

This chat topic is important as we all need to make a choice to go with the LE or wait. I keep thinking of one thing that does not seem to pop up in these 'discussions' and that's RADAR. I do not think Tesla uses RADAR but RIVIAN does and this fact also has to play a role in autonomy? Am I wrong? I'm really not sure. My understanding is that the RADAR has a range of about 1000 feet or so. In the rain LiDAR might not work? RADAR if I'm not mistaken would work. Does anyone know? I'm just thinking that having cameras and RADAR make the R2 more capable than Tesla in theory? Anyone care to add? I do not own a Tesla and the R2 will be my 1st EV.

I think the radar may have an advantage in close distance parking. In some ways I'm looking forward to seeing the impact in the real world. However, you should understand the counter argument, which is capturing only 1 type of data helps the vehicle process at scale. A similar analogy is computers using 1's and 0"s. Although this simplification seems counter intuitive, it was required to support computer processing over the last 40 years.

 

[emroch]

Not currently- but the person that posted on reddit saying that AWD drive now available as an option also said the tow hooks were also listed as an option. Might have been wrong, might have been up then removed. Dunno. Clearly though, that pic shows a Rivian with Lidar and sporting 19"s FWIW.

A comment may have been removed, but this is what is currently in the reddit thread. They are correct that the AWD and tow package are now available, but that is separate from the tow hooks. The comments in this thread about this being a Premium with swapped wheels are likely correct.

 

[emroch]

I think the radar may have an advantage in close distance parking. In some ways I'm looking forward to seeing the impact in the real world. However, you should understand the counter argument, which is capturing only 1 type of data helps the vehicle process at scale. A similar analogy is computers using 1's and 0"s. Although this simplification seems counter intuitive, it was required to support computer processing over the last 40 years.

The use of binary logic in computer systems has more to do with the electrical complexity than easing computation. We had analog circuits before we had transistors/digital logic...

The argument for vision only (or any single sensor perception) systems is that sensor fusion is HARD. With multiple sensors/systems, what do you do when they disagree? Do you trust one more than the other? What if the trustworthy one says everything is fine, but the non-trustworthy one says something is wrong with high confidence? At what threshold do you start trusting the less accurate system?
In a system like an autonomous vehicle, these decisions have to be made in real time and "perfectly" (at least from a safety perspective), which is the real computational challenge.

 

[Mos Eisley]

A comment may have been removed, but this is what is currently in the reddit thread. They are correct that the AWD and tow package are now available, but that is separate from the tow hooks. The comments in this thread about this being a Premium with swapped wheels are likely correct.

Saw that- it's been updated. Which could make it likely that this is a Performance/Premium Trim with 19"s

 

[Zathras]

I've actually changed my mind on this. I was going to wait for LIDAR/RAP1 but there's too many unknowns as it is. LE trim comes with Autonomy+ included. They promised point to point by EOY on the current chip set. That's where Tesla is at now - not eyes off L3 - which will require RAP1/LIDAR. So if Rivian gets as good as Tesla is today on the current chipset then perfect, no worries from me. I wasn't going to pay $2,500 for it even if I got a RAP1/LIDAR vehicle probably. And who's to say they won't increase the price next year for it? Seems one in the hand is worth two in the bush. Just give me good point to point like Tesla, that's all I personally need.

I thought level 3 was eyes-off, and LiDAR will be required for Level 4 where you send the car home after it drives you to the airport.

 

[justinkitswa]

I only see a future where LIDAR gets added to vehicles destined for driverless operation - Level 4 as mentioned.

Why spend the money on it when camera/radar based systems generally work "good enough" ?

So why wait for something that may never come around?

 

[Eric9610]

In 5 years when the feature actually get implemented, I'll be most likely be buying an R3X... LOL

 

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

Noob question. Maybe something applicable to me and a small set of users.

Given that I look at self driving as a convenience feature not something that let’s me sleep at the wheel etc, I do not think Lidar matters to me. Tricky lighting, weird roads, aggressive traffic I want to be alert and be ready or already taken over the driving. While lidar may be needed for robo taxis, I really don’t. I think.

Am I wrong or missing something?

Will probably need LiDAR to summon your vehicle to you without a driver. It also may enable autonomy features in severe weather. Eventually it will probably be required for hands off eyes off, which would be good for the elderly and people with disabilities as well as lazy folks.

Noob question. Maybe something applicable to me and a small set of users.

Given that I look at self driving as a convenience feature not something that let’s me sleep at the wheel etc, I do not think Lidar matters to me. Tricky lighting, weird roads, aggressive traffic I want to be alert and be ready or already taken over the driving. While lidar may be needed for robo taxis, I really don’t. I think.

Am I wrong or missing something?

It may also allow you to turn your vehicle into an autonomous taxi where you could have it help people when you’re not using it for a fee.

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