Software Team Needs a Revamp

[Donald Stanfield]

Absolutely correct. So much so that Rivian is likely only afloat because of how much better their software is then VW’s and the CEO’s ability to sell access to that software to VW.



As incorrect as the first statement was correct. I’m not even talking about Linux machines sitting on a shelf quietly doing work for years (or decades) without an unscheduled reboot, and months between scheduled reboots. I have a steam deck that has never glitched out and needed a reboot, it has been rebooted for a software update. Once (to be honest I’ve only owned it a month). I have a Mac that hasn’t rebooted itself or been rebooted by me to “fix stuff” since I bought it around a year ago. It replaces another that had a similar history for three years (replaced because it is my primary work computer and faster is better and I work for myself so I asked my boss to make me more productive since I’m his only employee...).

Computer systems can be made stable, and they can be made with very few bugs. Both things require a commitment that the industry leaders tend to lack.

I expect if Rivian wanted to make “reboots” a thing of the past they could focus on that and have it done in six months or so, but at the expense of basically anything else. Which might be a good tradeoff, except that very likely also includes “work they committed to do on behalf of VW” and given the size of VW’s loan/investments based on software I suspect that would end Rivian just as surly as if they decided to cancel the R2 and the public announcement was “because it doesn’t match my pants”.

Likewise if Rivian decided that making the infotainment system buttery smooth and instantly responsive (say 1/20th of a second response tip to any tap) they could make that happen as well. It would require a pause on other efforts and a commitment. The “other efforts” suffering from lack of attention would include bringup of the R2 and R3 software stacks and VW work. So that is a non-starter. However I think this at least could actually be done in parallel, but it would take a lot longer.

Personally as important as “the infotainment system should never crash while I’m driving” is, and as important as “it should never take so long to respond to a tap that I wonder if the infotainment system HAS crashed” both are, making the actual part of the software stack that controls the motors rock solid, and bringing it up for R2/R3 and VW are all more important.

Hell, making “Alexa navigate to McDonald’s in Darby VT” not decide some address in PA is the ideal target is arguably more important then a buttery smooth UI (for people unfamiliar with new england geography, Darby VT is in north east Vermont, PA isn’t even in New England, although it touched New England, and I was in north central VT when I asked for the route and at the time I was on a route that took me somewhere in north west VT, so this was a miss by hundreds of miles that should have been a fairly easy hit...and it wasn’t even an explicable miss like finding a McD’s close to my current position)

Maybe I'm just doing different shit with my computers but both my Mac and my steam deck need to be frequently rebooted. I do agree that Rivian can prioritize stability and responsiveness. I'll reiterate what I said about being an owner since '22, and seeing that the software package stability seems to move in cycles, where we will get a few updates that are slammed with features, but reduce stability and then new feature rollout will be paused to streamline things.

This problem could likely be fixed by Rivian slowing down their software release cadence but then we would have people complaining about that. I think the point I'm trying to make is there is no perfect solution on anything and while my Macbook might be more stable than my Rivian the improvements come at a significantly slower pace, if at all.

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[mikehmb]

Over the past few months I’ve had to do several reboots per week, it’s been for Navi issues, brightness issues, memory lag, or just flat out locking up. The UI takes several touches to get to where you want to go and we’re lacking so may features other vehicles have (text messaging, etc). If I was on version 1.0 then I get it, but we’re pretty much 5 years in now. Just feel like we should be a lot more polished than we are now.

Several reboots per week isn't normal - get it in for service.

This is why I was hesitant to post anything here about this, because I've seen others in the past attack an OP if they dared say anything wrong about the vehicle. As I mentioned I love my R1S and is/was planning on getting an R2; with Rivian still on the brink we should be trying to assist and point out flaws, rather attack anyone who points them out. I mean yesterday when the Navi Bug hit, I had 2 other Tesla drivers with me and were really questioning the vehicle (Obviously Telsa has issues too but it wasn't a shining moment)

To answer some questions I am on 2025.14; In the past couple of months these are just the bugs I've had (also I've seen others have the same issues in various posts here, reddit, or FB group)


-Navi will zoom all the way out to show the entire US (This is what happened yesterday and was really frustrating as I was trying to find a charger), only way to fix it is reboot. This has happened to be 3x so far (I think since the update). This will happen to you soon unless its fixed in .18
- The brightness will go all the way down to the lowest setting even in the middle of the day. This bug has been reported by many, I've had it happen 2x so far. Again only way to fix it is a reboot
- I got a "tire pressure monitoring not working" error that I called to set an appointment with the SC and was told this is known error and reboot. I've gotten the error 3x so far in the past 2 months
-Apple Music isn't useless but trying to use that interface (as others have mentioned) is very laggy and has actually completely locked up my infotainment several times will driving (It then reboots but flying blind for a 1-2 minutes isn't the funnest thing)
- When using Driver+ I've run into a processing/memory bug where similar to apple music bug, where the entire system starts lagging and lagging until it reboots (while still using driver+ and you have to immediately take over) this has happened to be 3x so far
- Maybe a personal preference but having to make multiple clicks to the furthest part of the screen when you want to shuffle a playlist is a little crazy (there's no way this was beta tested)
- Regarding Text Messaging, I mean regardless if you would use it or not most cars can do this (i know many use AA or CP but still its been a thing forever), also Wassym has said this was coming years ago.


Yes, Rivian's software is superior to most other car manufacturers, but most customers don't use their cars software anymore, I would say the vast majority are using AA or CP (and I'm not calling for Rivian to use that, I'm just saying if you compare Rivian's software to CP or AA most (not all) would pick CP or AA.

Starts a thread calling for people to be fired because his experience isn't great. Provides no evidence (until now). Hasn't contacted support because perhaps there is an underlying cause.

"Why does everyone yell at me?"

 

[WFR1S]

Aside from the missing features, most of which I wouldn't use even if they existed, you describe a very different experience than I have in my R1S. The stability of music streams has been problematic the last 2 releases which has been annoying but I've had none of the other issues you describe.

Here is the thing, there should be “no” software issues. How many issues do you have with the firmware of your dishwasher or washing machine? I would imagine none.

They need to test everything thoroughly before releases, customers should not be part of the debugging process.

 

[SASSquatch]

This is exaggerated. Compared to every other vehicle manufacturer besides Tesla, Rivian's software is superior in every way. Teslas have drawbacks for different reasons, and their software lacks basic features that Rivian offers. In my opinion, it's a wash. You bought a computer with wheels. Sometimes computers need to be rebooted.

Every computer I've ever owned has required a reboot at least once a week. I don't see how this is unusual or unexpected.

If you are rebooting your computer every week, maybe its time to get a new computer. I have Macs that I've used for a decade and rebooted them as many times as I can count on one hand.

Someone spending $100K doesn't want to have to reboot their infotainment every week or constantly deal with software bugs. It is reasonable to expect the user experience to be consistent across owners at this stage of the game.

 

[SeaDawgBob]

I listed a long list of my personal issues I’ve been experiencing, i also had it in for service last week and was told these are known bugs…

 

[Jonger1150]

My biggest issue is with the sound levels and lack of text. The lack of text is dangerous.

 

[godfodder0901]

Here is the thing, there should be “no” software issues. How many issues do you have with the firmware of your dishwasher or washing machine? I would imagine none.

They need to test everything thoroughly before releases, customers should not be part of the debugging process.

Tell me you have zero experience with software development without telling me you have zero experience with software development...

 

[SeaDawgBob]

I’ll bow out of this discussion, I must’ve just had a lemon or I’m just a disgruntled customer. Sorry for wasting everyone’s time. I’ll keep all future opinions, issues, and feedback to myself.

 

[VandalSibs]

I listed a long list of my personal issues I’ve been experiencing, i also had it in for service last week and was told these are known bugs…

I think you would have gotten a better initial response from people if you had mentioned that you had it in service in the original post. Lots of new-looking accounts come in here and bitch and moan with no real interest in learning something or having a genuine discussion.

First impressions matter. The more detail given at the beginning helps make the conversation more useful and sets a better overall tone.

 

[WFR1S]

Tell me you have zero experience with software development without telling me you have zero experience with software development...

Nope can’t tell you that because I‘m dev ops for a Fortune 500 broadcasting and streaming company , one that you probably watch, but you won’t see any bugs or glitches because we do extensive UAT before releases.

No need to debate, Rivian needs to be better with their software testing and releases that’s all. It should be 99% “uptime” so to speak.

 

[godfodder0901]

Nope can’t tell you that because I‘m dev ops for a Fortune 500 broadcasting and streaming company , one that you probably watch, but you won’t see any bugs or glitches because we do extensive UAT before releases.

No need to debate, Rivian needs to be better with their software testing and releases that’s all. It should be 99% “uptime” so to speak.

No way. There are zero pieces of software over 10 lines that don't have bugs. If you think you have the only one in history, tell us the company... I'm sure we'll be able to point out a few.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I’ll bow out of this discussion, I must’ve just had a lemon or I’m just a disgruntled customer. Sorry for wasting everyone’s time. I’ll keep all future opinions, issues, and feedback to myself.

Feel free to participate in the future, just don’t expect everyone to agree with you. We are all adults here, the woe is me passive aggressive commentary isn’t necessary.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Nope can’t tell you that because I‘m dev ops for a Fortune 500 broadcasting and streaming company , one that you probably watch, but you won’t see any bugs or glitches because we do extensive UAT before releases.

No need to debate, Rivian needs to be better with their software testing and releases that’s all. It should be 99% “uptime” so to speak.

Both the streaming services I use glitch out constantly. In fact, the are the buggiest pieces of software I interact with on a regular basis. So if you work for either Netflix or Amazon prime streaming I’d pause on the patting yourself on the back.

 

[SANZC02]

Nope can’t tell you that because I‘m dev ops for a Fortune 500 broadcasting and streaming company , one that you probably watch, but you won’t see any bugs or glitches because we do extensive UAT before releases.

No need to debate, Rivian needs to be better with their software testing and releases that’s all. It should be 99% “uptime” so to speak.

I call BS, if you have not found the bug yet in the software it is because you have not hit the scenario yet that causes it.

Comparing the software in a vehicle to a dishwasher or washing machine is laughable. I spent over 40 years in IT, the only thing you can be sure of is no software is bug free. You actually admit that when you say it should be 99% uptime, if there were no bugs it would be 100% uptime.

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